PNP to recall police, military escorts

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine National Police (PNP) is set to recall on June 9 all 3,881 police and military personnel detailed to 2,914 political candidates during the campaign period for the May 10 national and local elections.

PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the recall would allow the entire police force to go back to normal police operations, particularly its anti-crime campaign.

Verzosa said politicians who won or lost in the recently concluded elections should advise their respective security detail to report to their mother units for proper accounting or they will be marked absent without official leave.

PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina said the recall will be implemented on June 9, the end of the election period.

“On June 9, policemen (detailed as security for politicians) are expected to report to their mother units, regardless of whether or not the candidates they were securing won or lost in the elections,” Espina said in a briefing.

Of the 3,881 detailed security personnel, Espina said more than 3,000 were policemen, over 100 were military personnel and the rest were from private firms or security guards with proper training to secure VIPs.