Only one police escort per candidate

Candidates running for local or national posts, except those running for president or vice president, can have only one policeman assigned to provide security for them, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said yesterday.

But presidential and vice presidential candidates may have as many policemen as they want assigned to their security detail, depending on the gravity of the threats to their lives, Police Security and Protection Office (PSPO) director Chief Superintendent Rolando Sacramento said.

He added that candidates and Very Important Persons (VIPs) who request for police security must shoulder logistical support, such as food and shelter, for the policemen assigned to them.

The policemen assigned to "guarding" duties come from the PSPO, which also provides security to embassies and their consuls, Sacramento said.

He noted that PSPO personnel assigned to VIPS are allowed to carry only one side arm covered by necessary firearms permits and an exemption from the gun ban imposed by the Commission on Elections, as well as an official memorandum from the PNP.

Policemen on a candidate’s security detail are allowed to carry long firearms only after the PNP has assessed the threats on the lives of those seeking extra police security.

Sacramento stressed that policemen are "tasked only to serve and protect, not engage in partisan politics. They are security details, thus they should not be utilized as drivers and assistants to open (car) doors for the candidates or VIPs they protect."