PNP seeks to limit politicians' bodyguards during 2010 elections

MANILA, Philippines – In the attempt to control the escalation of election-related violence a year ahead of the 2010 general elections, the Philippine National Police (PNP) is proposing to limit to two the number of armed security escorts allowable per politician.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the number of security personnel could be increased depending on the degree of threat against the candidate or politician.

“It will depend on the increase or decrease of the threats present for the particular politician that needs security,” Verzosa said.

Verzosa said the issue of bodyguards for politicians was tackled by a technical working group formed during the recently concluded National Summit for Gun Control.

“Initially, we wanted to have an average of two per elected official,” Verzosa said.

He said the working group had attributed the increase in election-related violence to the number of politicians maintaining private armies.

Verzosa said the PNP would ask the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to refrain from issuing too many gun ban exemptions during the election campaign period.

Verzosa added the PNP is also working on a final gun amnesty to be implemented within the year in preparation for the elections next year.

Verzosa tasked Chief Superintendent Irene Bacolod, director of the PNP Civil Service Group (CSG), to design the uniform for all security personnel assigned to politicians and VIPs during the election period.

He explained that private security agents should be registered in the master list of the CSG.

“One of the innovations we want to propose is for all security personnel assigned to politicians and VIPs during election period to be in uniform, so we will be able to see those authorized,” Verzosa said. “We are now coming up with the specific uniform with name plates or embroidered name cloths.”

Verzosa said the uniforms would eliminate the need for applying for a gun ban exemption from the Comelec, since they will be allowed by Comelec to carry firearms when they are in uniform.