Police escorts of running local officials recalled

TACLOBAN CITY—Active policemen serving as escorts for local officials running in next year’s elections in Eastern Visayas have been recalled by their superiors to help erase perceptions of partisanship by the Philippine National Police.

Superintendent Jennifer Sumpo, PNP regional information officer, estimated that 50 policemen would return to their units. They were acting as security escorts to some mayors, governors and congressmen.

“We want to remain nonpartisan, which means we will not give favor to any particular candidate,” Sumpo said.

Chief Superintendent Elmer Soria, police regional director, initiated the recall move to ensure that the police organization would not be accused of favoring any particular candidate. He earlier vowed the peaceful and fair conduct of the elections in Eastern Visayas.

But Sumpo said the local officials could request for reconsideration of the order on the basis of urgent need for police security.

The PNP regional office has yet to come out with a list of areas that may confront peace and order problems during the elections.

Possible flash points have been located in Samar, namely, Gandara, Santa Margarita and Calbayog City. Cases of election-related violence had occurred in these areas, according to Col. Romeo Labador, commanding officer of the 801st Infantry Brigade based in Hinabangan, Samar. Joey Gabieta, Inquirer Visayas