PNP chief orders threat assessment on local gov’t officials after string of attacks

Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr., PNP chief. (Photo from the Facebook page of the Office of the Chief PNP)

MANILA, Philippines — The regional offices of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been tasked to conduct an assessment of security threats on local government officials–both elected and appointed.

The directive came from PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin Jr. in light of the recent string of violent attacks on Lanao del Sur Governor Mamintal Adiong Jr., Aparri, Cagayan Vice Mayor Rommel Alameda and Datu Montawal, Maguindanao Mayor Ohto Caumbo Montawal.

“Our marching order, not just for the new regional director of the police in the capital region but to all regional directors, is for them to start conducting a threat assessment on the elected and appointed officials in their respective areas, so we would know the different situations they are in, and we can assess if the security provided by the PNP is enough,” he told reporters in a chance interview on Friday.

Azurin said the PNP should take cognizance if local officials are on the receiving end of threats and if there are intense rivalries in their areas, so they can make necessary security adjustments.

“We can order the augmentation or improvement of their security, because each official is only allowed two security personnel from the PNP Police Security and Protection Group,” he said.

Azurin further noted that the PNP is also seeking to determine if the spate of attacks on local officials are following a pattern or are only incidental.

“Because they’re coming from different places. So that’s what we’re looking into now. That’s why I ordered a threat assessment,” he added. – With reports from Kimberly D. Albaño, INQUIRER.net intern

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JPV