PNP to work with AFP in dismantling private armed groups
Published Mar 7, 2023 06:05 am
The Philippine National Police (PNP) will work with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to dismantle all private armies in the country, a ranking police official said on Tuesday, March 7.
PNP chief information officer Col. Redrico Maranan said the consolidation of police and military forces is in compliance with President Marcos’ order following the series of high-profile attacks on local executives, including two governors, the recent was the brazen attack on Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo.
But first, Maranan said they will work on coming up with the list of the political hotspots in the country where attacks on local officials are common.
“We will be working with the Armed Forces of the Philippines on this, to intensify the disbandment of private armed groups,” said Maranan.
“This will be a nationwide implementation and this will come right after we identify the hotspots,” he added.
On Monday, March 6, PNP chief Gen. Rodolfo Azurin, Jr. said he already issued a directive to all police commanders to step up the assessment on critical areas in the country where attacks would likely occur.
“There were already critical areas that were identified during elections. So let us not wait for the election period for us to be strict on the implementation of security measures,” said Azurin in explaining his directive to local police commanders.
“Our police units in the field should start assessing their respective jurisdiction, if there is a need to implement checkpoints and at the same time, they should always communicate with the local officials as to where they would be going so that security will be provided in their destination,” he added.