Directors to submit list of bodyguards

CEBU, Philippines - Police Regional Office (PRO) 7 Director Lani-O Nerez will require all city and provincial police directors to submit to him lists of policemen that are detailed as bodyguards of politicians and private individuals throughout Central Visayas.

In yesterday’s 888 News Forum at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel, Nerez said that during the campaign period for last May’s elections, about 300 of the more than 5,000 policemen in Central Visayas were assigned as escorts.

But he explained that last June 9, all of these policemen were ordered to go back to their mother units, except those assigned to incumbent governors and mayors.

Based on the new guidelines of Camp Crame, Nerez said, only those assigned with the PNP Security and Protection Group can be detailed as escorts, after a request is approved.

But while Camp Crame may approve the requests for bodyguards of politicians and private individuals who are facing actual threats, only two bodyguards are allowed for each governor and mayor.

Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia has six police bodyguards who were detailed before the new Camp Crame directive was issued. Nerez said the rest will be recalled. 

However, Nerez clarified that the police may assign to governors and mayors additional police bodyguards if the elective officials will visit places that are considered threats to their security.

The governor said that it was the police and military officials who aired concern for her safety after she declared an all-out war against the New People’s Army (NPA) and illegal drugs in Cebu.

“Kon ako lang ang pagbut-on dili gyud ko gusto anang dunay magsige og sunod-sunod nato, pero ang mga polis mao may nabalaka sa akong pagka butang,” said the governor. (If it was up to me I don’t want any police bodyguards following me around, but it was the PNP officials who expressed concern for my safety.)

Nerez also clarified that police bodyguards are not allowed to act as security guards to guard houses at nights.

During the news forum yesterday, Cebu Provincial Police Director Erson Digal was asked about reports that Paulo, the governor’s son, has a police bodyguard.

Digal said records would show that the young Garcia has none.

The report, added Digal, stated that Paulo only provides suggestions and recommendations but the purchase of firearms and uniforms of policemen undergo proper bidding process and passed the requirement as provided for by law.

Capitol spokesman Rory Jon Sepulveda also made this clarification after newspaper reports stating that although Paulo does not occupy a position at the Capitol, he influences transactions related to purchase of firearms and uniforms. — Rene Borromeo and Pepe Sollano/JPM (THE FREEMAN)