Tulfo outburst could be factor for PNP decision to retain security: Albayalde

June 4, 2019

Philippine National Police ( PNP) General Oscar Albayalde on Monday said the sudden outburst of radio broadcaster Erwin Tulfo against Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista can be a factor if their security detail will remain after a review process.

"First of all, providing security. Remember it's a privilege extended to person. This is not a right. This is like giving license to those who wants to have firearms,'' said Albayalde in a press briefing at Camp Crame.

This privilege can be revoked anytime especially so that something like that happened. Of course, that is not the basic reason but that's a factor... the behavior of the person. Although it’s a normal process, it’s a coincidence but that’s a factor also," he added.

He said requesting for a security detail is like processing firearms license and good moral character is a requirement.

"You are the one who is giving protective detail then you will be attacked. What will you feel?... You cannot abuse the privilege given to you," Albayalde said.

He said this can give a bad image to the public.

Police Brigadier General Filmore Escobal, PNP Security Protection Group director, said reviewing security detail is done monthly as it's part of their regular process.

Escobal said protectees can only have their security detail for six months.

"Part of regular process of PSPG to periodically review the availment of protection security personnel for our protectees," he said.

He said the review is not only for a specific person but for other protectees.

"Another basis why we ask them to report is the conduct of the regular police information and continuing education. So the outcome of the review will be the basis whether we will continue or not," Escobal said.

"Whether there is a report or not. That's part of the regular process of PSPG. It's not directed towards specifically that purpose. He's not the only one who has that case. There are other individuals that we recalled for review of (their) security availment," he added.

He said the Tulfo brothers were granted exemption by the Commission of Elections that's why they had security detail.

"They were previous protectee and they applied for exemption at Comelec and they were granted with certificate of authority," he said. Albayalde said some media practitioners also seek security from them aside from the Tulfo brothers. He said no one from their family reach out to him to give comment on the pull out of their security detail.

Asked on how long the Tulfo brothers have police security detail, Albayalde said since he was a junior police officer.

On Saturday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano ordered the pullout of eight police details not only of Erwin but his family too.

During a radio broadcast, Erwin Tulfo ranted at Bautista, a retired military officer, after the latter denied his request for an interview due to lack of proper communication.

The radio broadcaster apologized for his outburst but he stood firm on his statement that Bautista was not doing his job. Ella Dionisio/DMS