PNP chief orders recall of pols' police escorts

ZAMBOANGA CITY, Philippines -  Police personnel assigned as escorts to elected political leaders have until Sunday to return to their respective units, Police Director General Alan Purisima said.

Purisima said the recall is part of Commission on Election guidelines for political officials to release the police personnel they have been assigned to as security, especially those who have no permits from the Comelec.

“The police personnel assigned to politicians...will be back (to their respective units) before January 13,” Purisima said.

However, the political leaders may  seek Comelec permit for police escorts.

Political leaders in the strife-torn provinces of Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi, however, expressed opposition to the Comelec directive recalling their police escorts, citing the unstable security situation in their respective places owing to various threats.

Meanwhile, Purisima directed all his ground police directors to adopt measures to ensure the safe and peaceful conduct of the 2013 midterm elections.

“My directive to them is to do what is mandated of them to ensure the success of an honest, safe, and peaceful election,” Purisima said after briefly meeting the police commanders during his visit Thursday here and in Basilan province.

Purisima also disclosed there are no  more areas considered as election hotspot but listed 15 places as priority areas in the country.

The PNP chief said security measures have already been planned and laid out for implementation to avert untoward incidents.