MANILA, Philippines – Good morals are needed to keep police escorts, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Oscar Albayalde said on Monday, June 3.

“Good moral character is a [criterion] like [when one applies for] possession of firearms,” Albayalde said in a press briefing, addressing the controversy of the Tulfo brothers Erwin, Ramon, and Ben losing their police escorts.

The PNP chief also admitted that Erwin Tulfo’s radio tirades against retired Army chief and current Social Welfare Secretary Rolando Bautista were a “factor” in the police’s decision to pull out the Tulfo brothers’ escorts. 

“Who would believe us if we say it has nothing to do with it? It has something to do with the comments to the Secretary of the DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and Development), but that is not the main reason,” Albayalde said. 

The brothers had their police guards revoked after newsreader and commentator Erwin Tulfo lambasted Bautista for declining him a radio interview. (READ: Tulfo brothers lose PNP, Marine security details)

“One thing here is that you give a person security detail and yet you are attacked by him. What would you feel? Remember, protective security is a matter of privilege, and we cannot abuse this,” Albayalde said.

Albayalde earlier explained that the Tulfos obtained police escorts by applying for them. (READ: PNP: Tulfo brothers asked for police escorts) – Rappler.com