Hale electioneering cops to work–PNP

PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. INQUIRER.NET FILE PHOTO

MANILA, Philippines—Hale them to court.

Politicians accusing policemen of having worked for their rivals during the elections should file formal complaints instead of bringing their allegations to the media, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).

“We will definitely look into reports that our personnel were engaged in partisan politics and ensure that they will be held responsible if they are guilty of wrongdoing,” PNP spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo Jr. told reporters at Camp Crame.

But he stressed that local candidates should be able to substantiate their charges.

‘Unfairly accused’

He noted that some PNP personnel had been “unfairly accused” by losing candidates of electioneering “only because they were not satisfied” with the results of the elections.

“We will go after policemen allegedly involved in electioneering activities. But we will defend those who are only doing their job and are unfairly accused,” Cerbo said.

“It’s better if they (politicians) file formal complaints against our personnel so they can also help us strengthen the evidence and get rid of misfits from our ranks,” he added.

On Monday, PNP personnel in Cavite arrested six confidential agents of the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) in front of the house of Sen. Ramon “Bong” Revilla Jr. in Bacoor City for violating the gun ban.

Revilla later appeared in a press conference and admitted that he sought the help of the NBI because the local police had been harassing his family.

Revilla’s son, actor Jolo Revilla, is running for vice governor of Cavite against Jay Lacson, son of Sen. Panfilo Lacson.

Police harassment

Similar reports of police harassment were reported by local candidates in the provinces of Leyte and Iloilo.

Cerbo said PNP chief Director General Alan Purisima had ordered the reshuffle of policemen whose relatives were vying for local posts and those who had been in their posts for more than two years.

Policemen identified with local candidates were also transferred to other units, he added.

“The PNP implemented the strict order of our PNP chief to relieve policemen who were close to some politicians to maintain the integrity of our organization,” he said.

In January, Purisima had ordered the reassignment of 1,413 policemen as part of the PNP’s preparations for last Monday’s balloting.

Of this number, 69 were policemen were described as having “close affiliations to candidates” while 957 were PNP personnel whose relatives were running for local positions.

“Being in the front lines, it’s understandable why policemen are always accused of being biased by contending parties,” he said.