The Philippine National Police (PNP) has started identifying policemen whose family members and other relatives are planning to run for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (BSKE) elections in October this year.
PNP chief Gen. Benjamin Acorda said the identification of the policemen will serve as a major factor in the adjustment of assignments on the days leading to the elections.
“We identified these police officers to really make sure that they will not become partisan in this forthcoming election,” said Acorda during a joint press conference with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Tuesday, Aug. 15.
The intention, according to Acorda, is to isolate all PNP from partisan politics amid past experiences wherein the barangay elections are considered as the most challenging in terms of security and peace and order.
The filing of certificates of candidacy for the BSKE will start on Aug. 28 until Sept. 2 and by that time, the PNP hopes to come up with a list of all their personnel whose relatives are running for the local posts.
“We will make some adjustments before the election ban comes,” said Acorda.
The Chief PNP also assured that the police force is ready to secure the barangay elections, adding that security measures are now being conducted for their goal of zero violence.
Among them are the aggressive campaign against private armed groups and the campaign against loose firearms.