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Stay apolitical, Lacson tells PNP as May 12 polls draw closer

Philippines | National

Stay apolitical, Lacson tells PNP as May 12 polls draw closer

By Ellson Quismorio

At A Glance

Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, May 9 to stay apolitical especially with the May 12 elections just around the corner.

Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Panfilo "Ping" Lacson (Ellson Quismorio/ MANILA BULLETIN)

Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial candidate Panfilo "Ping" Lacson reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Friday, May 9 to stay apolitical especially with the May 12 elections just around the corner.

Lacson said that while there is nothing keeping police personnel from becoming friends with poll candidates, their priority is to maintain peace and order, and to stay away from partisan politics.

"Remain apolitical. That is the rule of the PNP, that when there is an election or other political exercise, they should not take sides," he said in an interview on DZRH radio, when asked what advice he would give the PNP, which he headed from 1999 to 2001.

The ex-senator also says police regional directors and local commanders may need to keep an eye on their personnel to make sure this is observed.

"They are there to maintain peace and order. So the PNP leadership must be alert. Regional directors and commanders should keep an eye on their men to make sure they don't engage in partisan politics," Lacson said.

The Cavite native also appealed to those running in the national and local elections not to use their policeman friends for partisan politics, as this will get them in trouble.

Lacson said the police personnel will be held liable if they are caught with evidence of participation in political partisanship.

"Let's not get our policemen in trouble. The policemen will be held accountable if there is evidence that they took part in partisan activities," he said.

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