FILE PHOTO: Philippine National Police
MANILA, Philippines — Over 300 police officers with relatives possibly running for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on October 30 might face temporary reassignment, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.
PNP spokesperson Col. Jean Fajardo said the relocating process of personnel with blood ties to candidates is a “normal practice” within the force to prevent cops from being used by politicians to earn favor during polls.
“Sa ating assessment 327 na PNP personnel yung mga possible po na magkaroon ng kaanak na tatakbo sa darating na eleksyon pero hindi pa rin sigurado ang figures na ito malalaman natin yan sa pag file ng certificate of candidacy (COC),” Fajardo told reporters.
(Our assessment showed that 327 PNP personnel would likely have a relative who will run in the upcoming election, but we have yet to verify this figure on the filing of COC.)
After the filing of COC from August 28 to September 2, the PNP spokesperson said cops with relatives running for barangay and SK polls would be temporarily reassigned until the end of the elections on October 30.
According to Fajardo, these 327 personnel have already been informed and are prepared for their possible transfer.
“Nagkaroon naman tayo ng initial survey, this is not the first time na gagawin natin ang paglilipat. Tuwing eleksyon po ay expected po ito ng ating mga pulis,” she explained.
(We had an initial survey. This is not the first time we will do the transfer. Every election, our police officers expect this to happen.)
Meanwhile, Fajardo said that the PNP would talk to candidates with close ties to its personnel so the force could assess whether they need to be reassigned.