The Philippine National Police (PNP) disowned on Tuesday, March 15, the statements of some retired police officers that are openly supporting national and local candidates for the May 9 elections.
In a statement issued by Police Brig. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba, chief of the PNP-Public Information Office, he said the PNP has nothing to do with the political statements of retired police officers who have already expressed support to some candidates and political parties.
"The Philippine National Police hereby serves notice disclaiming any official sanction to politically-oriented messages and themes posted by retired PNP members and some other non-PNP individuals misrepresenting the organization. These messages posted in social media do not reflect the political views and opinion of the police organization, or any policy that openly expresses political support to any politician," said Alba.
"With all due courtesies to our retired PNP officers, we respect your political views and opinion as private individuals. But by all means, please spare the PNP from partisan political activity," he added.
Alba did not mention any name of retired police officers but a number of retired police and military generals have openly expressed their support to at least two contenders in the presidential race.
He said that the PNP has always maintained the apolitical stand on election, especially that the organization is one of the law enforcement agencies being deputized by the Commission on Elections to secure local and national elections.
Recently, the PNP has re-assigned a number of junior, middle-ranking and senior police officials as part of the efforts to isolate the PNP from partisan politics.
Most of those reshuffled were seen assessed to have already established familiarity with the local candidates, or those who have relatives running for local posts in their respective areas of responsibility.
"Let me reiterate the PNP has nothing to do with these. The PNP is not in the business of making any political statement or meddling in campaign-related activities of certain candidates or political parties," said Alba.
He also emphasized that non-PNP individuals who are using the PNP to engage in political activities "are not solely accountable for their unwarranted act of misrepresentation but also the group that hired them for this political propaganda and the candidates who will gain from it."