Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), warned on Monday, Jan, 20, all policemen of harsh consequences if they would be caught favoring any politician or engaging in any partisan political activity for this year;’s midterm elections.
Marbil said he already instructed the Internal Affairs Service (IAS) to come up with clear guidelines on the penalties that would be imposed, with emphasis in imposing harsh sanctions.
“I have already tasked IAS to look into it to make sure that the policemen who would be involved will not recover anymore. This should serve as a warning to them,” said Marbil.
He said one of the penalties being eyed is to include a policeman violator on the list of cops who would be ineligible to any promotion.
Another option, he said, dismissal from the service.
Aside from IAS, Marbil said he will also discuss the matter with the National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) to intensify the monitoring of policemen engaging in partisan political activities.
The monitoring includes the policemen’s presence in the campaign activities of any candidate running for any elective post.
While the PNP has not monitored any policeman violating the apolitical stand of the police organization, Marbil said they will intensify intelligence monitoring at the span of the election period.
"Let us be apolitical, let’s give dignity to our uniform,” said Marbil.