The Philippine National Police is meeting with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to clarify the “gray area” in its election duties, particularly its role in the tearing down of illegal campaign materials.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo on Sunday maintained that Santiago City policemen took part in dismantling campaign materials last week at the Isabela volunteer center of team Robredo-Pangilinan on the request of the local Comelec.
The takedown of the supposedly illegal campaign materials within private property drew heavy flak for the PNP and the Comelec whose personnel now face administrative and even criminal complaints.
In an interview on Sunday, Fajardo reminded all PNP personnel that they are limited to providing security for Comelec workers involved in “Oplan Baklas” drive against oversized campaign materials.
Even then, she said that the matter needed to be clarified with the Comelec, particularly when the poll body seeks police assistance in enforcing election laws.
“What happened in Santiago City was that our policemen did not take down those campaign materials on their own. Based on the information we received, the election officer sought the help of the PNP officers because (the local Comelec office) was undermanned,” Fajardo explained.
Fajardo assured the public that the police personnel involved in the Santiago City incident were ready to take responsibility for any lapses that may have been committed.
Fajardo pointed out that the police personnel’s taking part in actual “Oplan Baklas” operations was a “gray area” that needed to be clarified.
“What we need to determine is, being one of the deputized agencies, would the PNP personnel be in dereliction of their duty if they refused a request for assistance (from the Comelec)? That’s what we need to clarify,” she pointed out, referring to the Comelec’s “Oplan Baklas.”
Fajardo stressed that as far as the policy was concerned, “we are supposed to be limited to security coverage.” (©Philippine Daily Inquirer 2021)
