AFP seeks to identify two soldiers in viral ‘Pulong’ video
The Armed Forces of the Philippines said on Thursday it is conducting an internal investigation of two of its personnel assigned to Davao City Rep. Paolo “Pulong” Duterte after a video allegedly showing him hitting a man at a bar in Davao City went viral.
Col. Xerxes Trinidad, the AFP public affairs chief, said Duterte “has been duly authorized by the Commission on Elections to retain a security detail composed of AFP personnel, in accordance with applicable rules and regulations during the election period.”
“The AFP is currently undertaking an internal inquiry to thoroughly verify and validate the identities of the personnel designated to provide security to Rep. Duterte,” Trinidad added.
Full cooperation with PNP
The AFP, according to him, will closely coordinate and cooperate fully with the Philippine National Police and other concerned agencies in relation to any inquiries or investigations regarding the incident.
PNP chief Police Gen. Rommel Marbil earlier said that two policemen and two soldiers were spotted in the viral video.
Duterte was charged on May 2 by businessman Kristone John Patria before the Department of Justice for physical injuries and grave threats.
Marbil also told reporters that the two policemen in the viral video may be dismissed from the service after they were found moonlighting as bodyguards for the former president’s son.
“Once we file dishonesty [charges], that’s perpetual disqualification from any government post,” he said.
“They are not authorized; they are moonlighting. They surrendered their firearms as well as their IDs, but they went AWOL (absent without official leave),” he said.
Trinidad said the AFP would remain a professional and disciplined organization “committed to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all personnel conduct themselves in accordance with the highest standards of military service.”
