‘NEITHER FOR NOR AGAINST’: W. Visayas cops again told to remain apolitical

By Jennifer P. Rendon

All cops under the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 should avoid partisan activities in the run-up to the May 2022 elections.

Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo, Western Visayas police chief, made the reminder in the thick of the campaign period for both national and local elective posts

Dongbo emphasized that the police officers’ tasks are to ensure a safe, secure, orderly and peaceful conduct of the May 9, 2022 elections.

The region’s top cop said no PRO-6 personnel should engage, directly or indirectly, in any political activities and should not endorse any candidates or political party.

By being apolitical, neutral, and non-partisan, “they should not publicly endorse a political candidate using their social media accounts,” Lieutenant Colonel Arnel Solis, PRO-6 spokesperson, explained.

Does it follow that police personnel should not also engage in mudslinging efforts against a political candidate?

“I think being apolitical and neutral should mean that they should not intervene in partisan politics, to include publicly criticizing or maligning a political candidate,” Solis said.

Solis added that police personnel are barred from attending political rallies unless they are on official duty like providing security.

Meanwhile, Dongbo warned all PRO-6 personnel who would be found violating the order that they would be dealt with accordingly.

“As government employees, and in-charge of maintaining peace and ensuring security during this election, we are expected to be neutral and non-partisan as mandated by the law. I also urge the public to report any police officer found violating this instruction and obligation,” he said.

Even earlier, PNP chief General Dionardo Carlos has reiterated to all police personnel all over the country to perform professionally for a peaceful election.

Relative to that, Solis said all PNP personnel across the region, spearheaded by their respective commander, have already signed a Pledge of Commitment for the said purpose.

He said that they have already reassigned 136 police personnel who are related by affinity or consanguinity with political candidates.

“The relief was affective December 2021. This is part of our effort to remain non-partisan,” Solis said.

The relief and reassignment orders have affected the following:

* Aklan – 24

* Capiz – 23

* Antique – 20

* Guimaras – 6

* Iloilo province – 36

* Negros Occidental – 27

So far, Solis said there is no impending relief orders for the same reason.

“We could only request from the Commission on Elections once there are complaints,” he said.

But as it is, Solis said they’re hoping that police personnel would heed to the order of the PNP hierarchy.