740 PNP officials moved to other areas during campaign period

A total of 740 police directors, chiefs and commanders who are related to politicians running in this year’s general elections and those who have spent more than two years in their posts have been reassigned to other police units.

This is to prevent politicians from influencing and controlling police in their areas during the election period, the Philippine National Police said Monday.

In a press briefing, spokesperson Chief Supt. Wilben Mayor said that 25 provincial directors, five city directors, 27 commanders of provincial maneuver units, 147 chiefs of police and 532 other officers occupying various positions were reassigned to different posts.

“This is to show that the PNP is nonpartisan especially during elections,” he said.

Mayor said those who are related to politicians within the fourth degree of consanguinity will be transferred, regardless of their length of term in their areas.

Also affected by the mandatory rotation are officers who display their support for a particular candidate.

One of those included in the rotation of officers was former Cebu City police chief Senior Supt. Marciano Batiancela. He will be replaced by Senior Supt. Benjamin Santos who was formerly assigned at Camp Crame.

Meanwhile, police sources said Chief Supt. Henry Rañola will be replaced by Chief Supt. Billy Beltran as the district director of the Southern Police District, which has jurisdiction over the cities of Makati, Taguig, Pasay, Muntinlupa, Parañaque, Las Piñas and the municipality of Pateros.

The movement in the ranks of the PNP and its regional and provincial offices, according to Mayor, have all been approved by the Commission on Elections.

“Before kami gumalaw within the election period, it should be approved with the Comelec,” he said.

The election period started on 12:01 a.m. of Jan. 10 and will end at the midnight of June 8. AU