PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Rommel Francisco D. Marbil has assured the public the 232,000-strong police force is fully committed to be neutral in relation to the May 12 elections.

For a start, over 1,300 police officers and men assigned in areas where their relatives are running for different positions in the midterm polls have been transferred to other units as part of the apolitical stand of the force.

The PNP Directorate for Personnel and Records Management headed by Brigadier Gen. Constancio T. Chinayog Jr. was ordered to conduct a full inventory of these policemen.

All police personnel were also obligated to declare their relatives seeking elective posts in 2025.

In particular, policemen assigned in areas where their relatives are running for local positions need to be transferred to other places to prevent possible politicking.

Covered by the PNP rules are policemen with relatives within the fourth-degree consanguinity or affinity. Policemen with known close ties to candidates will also be transferred as it is part of the normal PNP practice to prevent cops from being used by politicians during any election.

He also emphasized the importance of adhering to the PNP’s core functions: intelligence, investigation, operations and community relations.

Gen. Marbil, at the same time, reminded police officers not to allow themselves to be used by political figures, reaffirming the PNP’s commitment to maintaining peace and order during the election period.

“I am reminding every officer that political neutrality is a core responsibility. Do not allow yourselves to be influenced or used by politicians,” Gen. Marbil said.

The PNP chief emphasized the national police force’s responsibility to uphold law and order without any bias or political partisan, reiterating that any officer found engaged in partisan activities or compromising the integrity of the police force will be dealt with accordingly.

“The PNP is tasked with protecting the democratic process, not participating in it. We will not tolerate any officer who compromises our commitment to neutrality and fairness.

Any form of political interference, whether directly or indirectly, will be met with swift and decisive action,” he warned.

The PNP chief also reminded police officers that their conduct reflects the PNP’s dedication to earning public trust, noting that the nation is closely observing how the PNP ensures public safety during this significant political exercise.

The PNP will be getting assistance from the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard in fully enforcing the nationwide gun ban that started last January 12 and will end on June 11.

The military will also help fully secure polling centers and the transport of election materials and personnel. AFP chief Gen. Romeo Brawner called on the public to ‘vote the right people in the right positions.’

The military chief assuresd they will be very strict in implementing the gun ban in Bangsamoro Administrative Region in Muslim Mindanao and vowed to disarm even bodyguards of governors and mayors who will be found violating the gun ban.

Comelec Chairman George Garcia said the categories of the EACs may change before, during and after the actual election day depending on the monitoring of security forces.

His advice to the candidates: don’t make any move that will prompt the declaration of their areas under Comelec control as it will make life of people in those areas a little difficult.

The Comelec chief also said that the classification of the EACs are not meant to make life difficult for the people and the candidates but to ensure that they will know and understand where they will preposition their troops and easily react as the need arises especially in the ‘Red Category’ areas.

Gen. Marbil said that they are ensuring that there will be peaceful and orderly polls nationwide, specifically in BARMM.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon