The Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group was reorganized and not disbanded, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) public affairs office chief said on Saturday.

In a statement, Col. Xerxes Trinidad, AFP public affairs office chief denied reports that the security group of Vice President Sara Duterte was disbanded as he assures that the military "remains fully committed to the safety and protection of the Vice President and all key officials of the government".

"The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) clarifies that the Vice Presidential Security and Protection Group was not disbanded, but rather reorganized into the AFP Security and Protection Group as part of our rationalization and streamlining efforts implemented in February 2025, as approved by the Department of National Defense," he said.

"This administrative adjustment was undertaken to unify security and protection operations. It ensures the continued, uninterrupted and robust protection of the Vice President within a more integrated and optimized framework," he added.

Trinidad said vice presidents were secured by the Security and Protection Battalion under the AFP General Headquarters and Headquarters Support Command, with no dedicated military security group prior to the creation of the Vice President Security and Protection Group in June 2022.

"As such, the current set-up is a more efficient and effective way to ensure the safety and security of the present and future vice presidents," he said.

Trinidad said the AFP also appealed to Filipinos to avoid spreading false or misleading information.

"We enjoin our kababayans to use our communications platforms to promote unity, peace and understanding, and not to sow discord, hatred and division," he said.

The military issued it statement after a newspaper reported that AFP Chief of Staff General Romeo Brawner Jr. deactivated Duterte's security group after several members of the group were allegedly relieved due to their alleged involvement in the transfer of Office of the Vice President chief of staff Zuleika Lopez from Veterans Memorial Medical Center (VMMC) to St. Luke's Medical Center in previous year. Robina Asido/DMS