ILOILO City – Law enforcers must avoid dipping their fingers into politics and remain non-partisan, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) warned policemen as the 2022 national election draws near.
“Remember that the role of the police is to enforce the law, preserve peace and order and security of everyone, not politics,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, regional police spokesperson, echoing the recent warning of Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Eleazar.
Policemen have no business in politics unless they resign and run for public office or openly support a candidate, Eleazar earlier stressed.
“Huwag na makigulo pa o makisawsaw sa mundo ng pulitika. Huwag po tayong magpagamit sa mga pulitiko na may hindi magandang agenda dahil sa huli, ikasisira lang natin ito,” he added.
In an interview with Panay News, Malong said the PRO-6 would see to it this shall be observed.
Those caught moonlighting with politicians would be charged administratively, Malong said.
“Worst, they will be dismissed from the service,” she emphasized.
What if a politician seeks police security?
“May approval na ‘ya sa higher headquarters and under ‘na sila sa police security protection unit or group,” Malong explained. “Amo ina ang mga under sa witness protection program like judges and government officials nga may mga threats or danger sa ila life.”
Meantime, if a politician needs police presence, then the police, in uniform, will be deployed during the event at a certain area, she added.
Eleazar’s warning came after the National Police Commission, chaired by Interior secretary Eduardo Año, dismissed from the service six Negros policemen after finding them guilty of grave misconduct and grave irregularities in the performance of their duty by subjecting in 2017 then Moises Padilla town vice mayor Ella Garcia-Yulo to an illegal search and seizure.
After a thorough probe, the Napolcom found that the six PNP personnel subjected Yulo to political harassment as she was planning to run for mayor in 2019 against then incumbent Mayor Magdaleno Peña.
On the other hand, Malong said the PRO-6 has already been gearing up for election season by boosting their monitoring efforts against potential armed groups. They are also beefing up their campaign against loose firearms.
“Our police are now busy campaigning against loose firearms and conducting more raids to those who refuse to surrender their guns. Expect more police operations will be done,” Malong added./PN
