Eleazar warns cops vs politicking, says PNP loyalty is to Constitution
Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), vowed on Sunday, Oct. 3, to shield the police from partisan politics as he warned all personnel not to engage in politicking amid the ongoing filing of Certificate of Candidacy (COC) across the country.
“We in the PNP are continuously focused in securing this first part of the electoral process at habang ako ang nakaupong (and as long as I am) Chief PNP, I will do everything in my power to make sure that the organization will be shielded from partisan politics,” said Eleazar.
Eleazar issued the statement as he said that the first two days of the filing of COCs nationwide was generally peaceful and orderly.
He said the his warning is a message to the PNP personnel not to throw support to any candidate, both local and national, adding that being apolitical has always been the stand of the organization.
“Therefore, I am warning all our personnel not to meddle into political activities or do things that can be misconstrued as expression of support to any candidate. Mananagot sa akin ang sinumang makikisawsaw sa pulitika sa aming hanay (I will hold those who would engage in politicking responsible),” said Eleazar.
“The loyalty of the more than 222,000-strong PNP is to the Constitution and to the Filipino people and not to any political candidate,” he added.
The Chief PNP has earlier ordered an aggressive campaign against loose firearms and private armed groups as part of the early election security preparations to ensure the peaceful, honest and orderly conduct of the national and local elections next year.