MANILA – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clarified that the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group (VPSPG) was only reorganized and was not disbanded.
According to AFP Public Affairs Office’s Colonel Xerxes Trinidad, the VPSPG was transformed into the AFP Security and Protection Group (AFPSPG) as part of the military’s “rationalization and streamlining efforts.”
Trinidad explained that the AFPSPG, which had been reorganized since February, is tasked to provide security not only to the Vice President but other VIPs as approved by the Department of National Defense (DND).
“This administrative adjustment was undertaken to unify security and protection operations. It ensures the continued, uninterrupted, and robust protection of the Vice President within a more integrated and optimized framework,” Trinidad said.
The VPSPG, composed of security personnel from the AFP and Philippine National Police (PNP), was activated in June 2022 upon the assumption of Sara Duterte-Carpio as the Vice President.
Before this, Vice Presidents were secured by the Security and Protection Battalion under the AFP General Headquarters and Headquarters Support Command, with no dedicated military security group.
“As such, the current set-up is a more efficient and effective way to ensure the safety and security of the present and future Vice Presidents,” Trinidad said.
“We enjoin our kababayans to use our communications platforms to promote unity, peace and understanding, and not to sow discord, hatred and division,” he added./PN
