PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief Director General Oscar Albayalde reminded the 190,000-strong police force to remain apolitical on Monday, a day before the start of the campaign period for the 2019 midterm elections.
“Sa ating mga members ng PNP, palagi natin sinasabi sa kanila to remain apolitical, hindi political, apolitical. Huwag silang pumanig kung kanino and of course we will be fast in relieving kung makita natin na commanders na kumikiling sa kahit na sinong kandidato,” Albayalde said.
“Bawal na bawal ‘yung kampanya sa loob ng kampo. Bawal na bawal ‘yan. Hindi namin pwede pahintulutan ‘yan,” he added.
On Tuesday, February 12, the campaign period for the senators and party-list groups will commence. It will last until May 11, 2019, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
This was echoed by senatorial candidate Christopher Lawrence “Bong” Go, who was the guest of honor and speaker on the launching of Kabataan Kontra Droga at Terorismo in Camp Crame, Quezon City.
It is a project aimed at educating the youth about the ill-effects of illegal drugs and prevent them from joining terrorist organizations.
Go said candidates should not engage in premature campaigning as it violates Comelec rules.
However, when asked by a lady reporter if his presence at Camp Crame could be considered premature campaigning, Go maintained he merely graced an invitation from the Association of the Chief of Police of the Philippines for the launching of the anti-illegal drugs and terrorism campaign.
For his part, Albayalde said the police force is “very ready” to implement their security preparations as the campaign period kicks-off Tuesday.
“Handang-handa naman na tayo doon sa ating mga security preparations. Meron tayong mga listahan at patuloy nating bina-validate ‘yong mga listahan ng mga hotspots dito at patuloy naman ‘yong coordination natin with the Comelec and with the AFP,” Albayalde said.
Earlier, Albayalde announced that at least 19 towns and cities across the country are deemed election hotspots because of the history of violent elections in the past, and the presence of armed groups and other threat groups such as communist rebels. (Martin Sadongdong)