Manila, Sept. 8 -- Vice President Sara Duterte can always request for the withdrawal of her security detail, Department of National Defense (DND) Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. said on Tuesday.

"Kung totoo nga 'yun nasabi niya na wala na siyang tiwala sa security niya, pwede na niyang i-request na i-withdraw ito (If it is true that she no longer trust her security she can request for their immediate withdrawal)," he said during an interview with state-run People's Television in Seoul, South Korea, where he is on official business.

"But as far as I know, pili niya 'yun (She selected them herself)," he said.

Teodoro clarified that the security being provided by the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) is a privilege -- not a right.

He ...