PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Dionardo B. Carlos on Wednesday assured the deployment of all available police resources and personnel that will carry out their anti-criminality efforts and ensure the implementation of all Commission on Elections’ Comelec rules ahead of the May 2022 national and local elections.

The 27th top cop said they will go all-out against illegal firearms, bodyguards and partisan armed groups to ensure these unauthorized weapons and gun-carrying persons won’t be able to disrupt the 150-day polling period.

Carlos also told the public they will fully enforce other acts prohibited by the Comelec during the election period.

The top cop said he has directed all concerned PNP Directorial Staff and all Area Police Commanders and National Support Units to consolidate all their resources, personnel and support systems to effectively cope with the mandated police duties to implement Comelec Resolution No. 10728.

Comelec Resolution No. 10728 provides the effectivity of the 2022 Election Period from January 9 to June 8, 2022, or a total of 150 calendar days.

“I have already laid down my guidance to the PNP commanders during the Command Conference last Monday, and I expect these guidance to be cascaded and adapted in operations planning by lower units,” Carlos said.

Comelec Resolution No. 10728 provides that “no person shall bear, carry or transport firearms or deadly weapons outside his/her residence or place of business, and in all public places, including any building, street, park, and in private vehicles or public conveyances, even if he/she is licensed or authorized to possess or carry the same, unless authorized by the Comelec, through the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC)”.

The same Resolution provides that only the PNP, AFP and PCG, and members of other law enforcement agencies are allowed to carry and possess firearms while in agency-prescribed uniform and performing official functions during the election period.

On security detail, Comelec prohibits candidates or any public officers from employing bodyguards and private security forces.

Carlos said a gradual recall will be implemented in the coming days for police personnel on security detail to local executives and other VIPs with verified threats.

“A complete accounting of police personnel with detail orders to provide security to some public officials and some private individuals is now underway to hasten the recall process.” he said.

He explained that affected local officials and other VIPs may apply to the Comelec for security detail upon endorsement of the PNP.

“The PNP will be steadfast and uncompromising in implementing the provisions of Comelec Resolution No. 10728 to ensure peaceful, honest and orderly national elections,” Gen. Carlos said.

The top cop has maintained their neutrality and apolitical stand as he called on his men to refrain from engaging in any partisan politicking activities as they prepare to ensure an honest, orderly and peaceful May 2022 elections.

He said that the Police Security Protection Group has also started recalling PSPG Protective Agents assigned to politicians gunning for different elective seats next year since the candidates have to first seek exemption from the Comelec.

“We have started the recall of PSPG men assigned to individual candidates since they need to seek exemption from the Comelec first,” Carlos said while adding that the move is part of their efforts to insulate their men from partisan politicking.

The candidates have to prove actual threats on their lives which would be the basis of the Comelec in approving their request for PSPG security personnel.

Carlos also said that PSPG personnel, once authorized by the Comelec to provide security to a certain candidate must stick to their job which is securing the individual and must not in any way help in his/her campaign.

He called on the public to report any member of the police force who are known for directly participating in the campaign of some politicians to the PNP’s E-Sumbong platform including the hotlines (Smart) 0919-1601752 and (Globe) 0917-8475757.

The PNP chief assured that the identity of the informant will be kept in utmost secrecy as they thoroughly validate his/her information.

The Comelec is known for having a strict vetting process when it comes to the issuance of gun ban exemptions. Only two police security escorts are allowed for an individual candidate who has proven his or her life is really under threat.

Carlos emphasized that authorized police bodyguards should only provide security to the individual and not join his campaign group.

“Ang pulis na naka-detail sa isang pulitiko ang concentration niya ay mag provide lang ng protective security, hindi po sya pwedeng gamitin na driver, hindi sya pwedeng gamitin sa pangangampanya, violation po yan ng ating circular. Hindi po sila pwedeng magbitbit o mag-distribute ng campaign materials. Maaari po silang imbestigahan at pag napatunayan ay magkakaroon po sila ng administrative case po, the top cop said.

Carlos has also ordered all concerned police officials to identify their personnel who have relatives running in the 2022 elections especially at the local level since they need to be transferred to other assignments to prevent suspicions they may engage in partisan politics.