THE Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered the recall of the police escorts assigned to Tulfo brothers Erwin, Ben and Raffy, a police official said on Sunday, June 2.
The Philippine Marines also recalled two of its men assigned to Ramon Tulfo, who is the Philippines’ special envoy for public diplomacy to China, due to lack of personnel.
Both the PNP and military spokespersons denied that the recall was due to the tirades made by Erwin Tulfo against retired army general, now Department of Social Welfare and Development Secretary, Rolando Bautista after he was not granted an interview with the official.
Former AFP chief of staff now Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said he ordered the recall of the police security of the Tulfo brothers.
PNP spokesperson Colonel Bernard Banac said the eight security personnel assigned to Tulfo brothers Erwin, Ben and Raffy as well as to Raffy's wife Jocelyn will undergo "regular" inspection, interview and debriefing.
"The continuation of security detail will largely depend on the outcome of this regular review process and the revalidation of the level of threats against the protectees," he said.
"This standard protocol applies to all authorized protectees, and not only to Erwin Tulfo," he added.
Brigadier General Filmore Escobal, PNP Police Security and Protection Group chief, said the eight police security escorts assigned to the Tulfo brothers were ordered to report to the office on Saturday, June 1.
He said the recall was made over possible violations of claiming security details.
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesperson Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo said in a statement that two of its men assigned to Ramon Tulfo have also been recalled.
"Due to the dearth of personnel, the Philippine Marine Corps has started recalling its Marines who were detailed outside the Corps as security detail. The Corps has sent correspondence to their respective principals since last year informing them of the order requiring the Marines to report back to Headquarters for consequent deployment to forward units," Arevalo said.
Both Bautista and Año had served as commanding general of the Philippine Army.
Bautista is a member of the Philippine Military Academy "Sandiwa" Class of 1985 while Año is a member of the PMA Matikas Class of 1983. (SunStar Philippines)