MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila police commander Director Roberto Rosales warned candidates and private individuals yesterday that they face arrest and prosecution if they hire bodyguards without permission from the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
“All candidates and private individuals employing armed security should get permission from the Joint Security Control Center (JSCC),” he said.
Based on Comelec Resolution 8714, the JSCC is to receive and process applications for Temporary Security Detail (TSD), which must comply with regulations on the authorized number, uniform, and firearms used by security personnel of candidates and private individuals during the election period.
Philippine National Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa has allotted only two policemen and two security guards for each politician during the election campaign.
Rosales urged the public to report any violations of the JSCC, which has regional, city and municipal offices.
In Metro Manila, the public can report violations to the National Capital Regional Police Office at tel. nos. 838-3354 and 838-3203.
The JSCC in Camp Bagong Diwa, the headquarters of the NCRPO, has established crack police teams to act on complaints by the public or politicians.
The Metro police chief directed his five district directors to strictly monitor on a 24/7 basis all locations and activities of established JSCC stationary checkpoints.
He also appealed to gun holders not to carry their firearms around Metro Manila if they do not have exemptions from the Comelec as he warned that the NCRPO would intensify its campaign on the total gun ban.