Trillanes to get back 2 police escorts

MANILA, Philippines — Days after losing his security detail provided by the government, Sen. Antonio Trillanes IV will temporarily get two police escorts, an official announced yesterday.

Senior Superintendent Benigno Durana, spokesman for the Philippine National Police, said PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde ordered the Police Security Protection Group (PSPG) to temporarily provide Trillanes with two escorts.

 Durana said the PNP made the move pending the outcome of a review on police personnel detailed to VIPs.

Trillanes, a staunch critic of President Duterte, said both the PNP and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) security personnel assigned to him have been recalled and that his request for their reinstatement remains pending.

The senator belied the claims of the PNP and presidential spokesman Harry Roque that he has six security personnel from the PNP, AFP and the Senate.

 “I never had a security detail provided by the Senate, which means that whatever is this Alunan doctrine is not applicable to me,” Trillanes said.

 The Alunan doctrine was cited by the PNP for its non-renewal of the police escorts assigned to Trillanes.

The doctrine, which grants government officials only two police security escorts, was introduced by former interior secretary Rafael Alunan III to prevent politicians from having their own private armies.

The PSPG recalled the security escorts of Trillanes last June. – Marvin Sy