Sen. Antonio Trillanes III asks questions at a legislative inquiry, February 7, 2018. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

MANILA – The temporary removal of Senator Antonio Trillanes IV's police security escorts is part of a "comprehensive review" on the deployment of officers, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Sunday. 

Trillanes said the PNP and the military withdrew his security escorts at the end of June, and that the Senate did not provide him with any security detail. 

The PNP, in a statement, said it was reviewing "all protective security personnel its Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) provides to all qualified VIPs including elected and appointed officials as well as private individuals." 

The move was in line with efforts to maximize the use of human resources. It will also take into account the specific security needs of key officials and private citizens, the police force said. 

The review, it added, is "also part of PNP's proactive measures to ensure police personnel will not be, wittingly or unwittingly, used by their VIPs for economic or political reasons especially as we approach the election season." 

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde has directed the PSPG to temporarily provide Trillanes with two police security personnel pending the outcome of the comprehensive review. 

The opposition senator revealed the recall of his police security detail after a netizen reported that police escorts of slain Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili were removed before he was killed.

Halili's security detail from the PNP was recalled in 2017. 

The mayor, who was known for ordering suspected criminals to take "walks of shame," was shot dead during a flag ceremony in his city early this month.

He is among several mayors and vice mayors slain under the administration of President Rodrigo Duterte.

READ: PH probes spate of brazen politician murders

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