CEBU CITY – National Police Chief General Benjamin Acorda Jr has issued an order mandating the transfer of policemen who have relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity or affinity running as candidates in the elections to ensure the integrity and impartiality of Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) elections on October 30.
The
reassignment or detail of police personnel is prohibited from August 28 to
November 29, however, Acorda said they are coordinating with the Commission on
Elections regarding this movement and future reassignments, as necessary and in
the exigency of the service.
Acorda
emphasized the importance of maintaining public safety and peace during this
critical period. “To uphold the trust of the people, it is crucial that we act
with utmost integrity, neutrality, and dedication to the law,” he said. “The
PNP is duty-bound to ensure a fair and unbiased election. We are committed to
upholding our role in ensuring a peaceful and transparent electoral process.”
Police in Cebu also
warned its personnel not to engage in partisan politics ahead of the BSKE.
Brig. Gen.
Anthony Aberin, chief of the regional police office, made the warning after
relieving three policemen from their posts for siding with candidates in the
BSKE. He said the trio is facing administrative cases.
“This election
period, we are expected to be apolitical. We are supposed to be neutral,” he
told reporters here.
Aberin advised
those who cannot observe neutrality to leave the organization and join politics
instead. He said reports have reached his office that some police officers are
actively campaigning against or in favor of some personalities who are running in
the polls.
He urged station
commanders to always remind their personnel to keep themselves from political
activities, or face a relief order. “We will relieve them of the present
assignment. That’s a fair warning,” he said. (John Rey Saavedra)
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