MANILA, Philippines – Tulfo brothers Erwin, Ben, and Raffy kept police security details by asking for them.

In a Camp Crame press briefing on Monday, June 3, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde said the Tulfo brothers requested for security details as private individuals.

The brothers applied by filling out forms for the PNP asking about personal information and details about the supposed threats they face. The police then checked whether the threats were founded and examined whether the Tulfos were of good moral character and credibility before approving the request and deploying two police escorts each. (READ: Tulfo brothers lose PNP, Marine security details)

That the Tulfo brothers kept security details is information not widely known, so on Saturday, when the PNP recalled 8 police guards from Erwin, Ben, Raffy, and Raffy’s wife Jocelyn, questions floated from critics as to why taxpayers were funding their security.

The Tulfo brothers are media personalities known for their reportage driven by action and controversies. It was in a radio program by Erwin Tulfo that he triggered the wrath of the police and military, after lambasting Army chief-turned Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista for declining him an interview.

Ramon Tulfo, President Rodrigo Duterte’s special envoy to China, also lost his security aides from the Marines. According to the Armed Forces of the Philippines, his security aides were more needed in the frontlines.

According to Albayalde, the Tulfo brothers are no different from private individuals who applied for police escorts after receiving threats on their life. (READ: How did a convicted drug lord’s daughter get PNP security?)

The top cop noted they are also presently securing other media personnel, but did not specify how many or who they were.

Asked to recount how long the Tulfos have kept their police guards, Albayalde said they had them even before he headed the Metro Manila police, or before President Rodrigo Duterte assumed office in July 2016. – Rappler.com