The Philippine National Police (PNP) has requested the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to authorize the pullout of police security escorts of politicians who were included in the narco-list of President Duterte.
The PNP leadership has already recalled the police escorts of some politicians early this year and the letter sent by PNP chief Gen. Oscar Albayalde is for the Comelec to give them the authority to recall the cops from narco-politicians who asked for exemptions.
“The first thing that we do is to remove the police security of all those in the narco-list, especially if they are candidates,” said Albayalde in a press briefing at Camp Aguinaldo.
“Baka kase may nakapag-apply na before that was approved and were already given temporary security so we are communicating with the Comelec for them to give us the authority to remove the police escorts of those in the narcolist,” he added.
President Duterte has earlier disclosed several politicians whom he accused of being into illegal drugs trade, the recent was the 46 local officials whose names were disclosed by the Chief Executive last month.
Albayalde said that they will leave it to the Comelec to decide on their letter.
“It depends on the appreciation of the Comelec. They also undergo the same process,” said Albayalde.
“But let us remember that providing police escorts is not a right, it’s a privilege, so it can always be revoked anytime,” he stressed.
For his part, Comelec Chairman Sheriff Abbas said they will decide on the letter during an en banc session. The Comelec en banc was scheduled yesterday afternoon (Tuesday).
“We will assess the letter of General Albayalde and let’s see what would be the decision of the en banc,” said Abbas. (Aaron Recuenco)
