• GILBERT P. BAYORAN
As the Police Regional Office-Western Visayas (PRO-6) starts beefing up security measures for the 2025 elections, Brig. Gen. Jack Wanky, police regional director, reminded police officers to remain non-partisan.
He issued the reminder as the election period starts with the filing of the certificate of candidacy (COC) on Oct. 1 to 8.
During a command conference at Camp Delgado in Iloilo City, Wanky ordered police provincial and city directors to coordinate with their respective election supervisors and officers to plan specific and suitable deployment of their personnel.
Security measures should be based on the prevailing situation and peculiarity in their respective areas to ensure that the upcoming elections will be peaceful and orderly, he added.
Wanky reminded them that the focus on the election preparations must not overshadow the anti-criminality campaigns and anti-illegal drugs operations.
Among the security measures up for implementation by the PRO-6 are increased police visibility in identified public places, checkpoints, intensified intelligence monitoring and other police actions and intervention that will prevent the occurrence of crimes.
He further reminded all police personnel to always uphold the law and order, with high respect to human rights, to perform their duties professionally.
In a statement, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil also issued a stern warning to its officers against engaging in partisan politics.
The PNP is tasked with protecting the democratic process, not participating in it, Marbil said.
“I am reminding every officer that political neutrality is a core responsibility. Do not allow yourselves to be influenced or used by politicians,” he added.
Marbil encouraged the public to cooperate with the PNP during the election period and to report irregularities involving law enforcers. | GB
