The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched an investigation into the identity of two military personnel providing security to Davao City Representative Paolo “Pulong” Duterte, following the circulation of a viral video.
AFP Public Affairs Office Chief Colonel Xerxes Trinidad confirmed that Duterte had been authorized by the Commission on Elections to maintain an AFP security detail in accordance with applicable election period regulations.
Trinidad added that the AFP is conducting an internal inquiry to verify and validate the identity of the soldiers assigned to secure Rep. Duterte.
Earlier, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Rommel Marbil stated that two soldiers and two police officers appeared in the footage that showed Duterte allegedly assaulting a man in a Davao City bar.
Marbil clarified that the two police officers involved were not authorized to serve as Duterte’s security and would be dismissed from service for allegedly moonlighting as his private security.
Meanwhile, Trinidad noted that the AFP will coordinate with the PNP and other concerned agencies to support the ongoing investigation into Duterte’s security detail.