Candidates asked to refrain from mudslinging vs opponents

MANILA, Philippines - Metro police chief Director Roberto Rosales appealed yesterday to local candidates in Metro Manila to direct their supporters against tearing up posters and posting of campaign materials over that of their rivals to preserve the peaceful election atmosphere in the metropolis.

Rosales said such “dirty tricks” employed by local politicians serve as major irritants among their supporters which might lead to the outbreak of violence as the May election draws near. He noted that the tearing up of posters and pasting of campaign materials over rival candidates’ posters triggered the stoning incidents between supporters of incumbent Manila Mayor Alfredo Lim and his rival former mayor Joselito Atienza.

Two people were hurt and at least 12 persons were arrested in the said stoning incident. According to Rosales, local candidates can post their campaign materials in designated poster areas and in other places but they should not cover the posters of other candidates.

“We should not tear up the posters nor cover the campaign materials of rival candidates so that no election-related violent incident would be recorded in Metro Manila this election period,” said Rosales. The Metro police chief reminded policemen that they should remain apolitical in the poll exercise as he warned of relief, those who violate the standing policy of the Philippine National Police.

He issued the warning following a verbal complaint of Atienza that policemen identified with the camp of Lim are “terrorizing” his supporters. He told The Star that he’s waiting for Atienza to lodge a formal complaint against the said policemen before he could undertake administrative action against them.

Rosales also directed Superintendent Leo Francisco, head of the Regional Police Intelligence and Operations Unit (RPIOU) to strictly monitor local candidates who are violating the standing policy of employing two police bodyguards and two security personnel as security escorts.