Politicians advised to ask for escorts from Comelec

CEBU, Philippines - Provincial Police Director Erson Digal has advised politicians to send their requests for police escorts directly to the Commission on Elections.

Digal said his office has received letters from mayors, congressmen, and even from the Office of the Governor requesting for police escorts, but because of the existing Comelec gun ban, all that CPPO can do is to assess the situation faced by the requesting party and make subsequent recommendations.

Comelec still allowed some politicians to avail of security escorts owing to security threats. Comelec Resolution 8714 was implemented on January 10 and will end on June 9.

Resolution 8714 states that “no candidate for public office, including incumbent public officers seeking election to any public office, shall employ, avail himself of or engage the services of security personnel or bodyguards, whether or not such bodyguards are regular members or officers of the Philippine National Police, the Armed Forces of the Philippines or other law enforcement agency of the government.”

One of those reportedly requesting for police escorts is controversial mayor Avelino Gungob of Consolacion town.

“Mayor Gungob did not cite any specific reason ngano nangayo siya ug police escorts,” Digal said.

But Gungob said politicians might as well send their requests directly to the Comelec because forms to “employ, avail, or engage security personnel and bodyguard” are only available there.

A filled out form would then be submitted to the secretariat of the Police Regional Office in Central Visayas.

“The politicians must request to JSCC and the Comelec will be the one to approve their request,” Digal said. — Gabriel C. Bonjoc/JMO   (FREEMAN NEWS)