Mayors, governors reminded of 'two police escorts' policy

CEBU, Philippines – Local chief executives are reminded that they are allowed to have at least two police security escorts only.

According to Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Ronaldo Puno, he wants his order to be strictly implemented by the Philippine National Police officials because “there are some mayors and governors having more than two bodyguards.”

This new order to be issued by PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa would allow a government official or a private individual to have more than two police escorts only if he/she could show proof that his/her life is under serious threat.

Puno also prohibits the assignment of the members of the PNP’s Special Action Force to act as security escorts as this should be the function of the Police Security and Protection Office.

He asked those local chief executives who have more than two police officers assigned to protect them to only retain two; otherwise they can be accused of keeping private armies. 

Any government officials or electoral candidates who have wanted to be exempted from this rule should first secure an approval from the Commission on Elections’ firearms and security committee.

In the past elections, the PNP strictly imposed the security detail limit to prevent politicians from using the policemen as their goons during the polls.

The FREEMAN, however, learned that a mayor in Cebu has at least six police-bodyguards although only two of them will always accompany him for every shift.

“Kana dili gihapon mahimo kay ang balaod duha ra g’yod ka gwardya ang pwede niya’ng himoong bodyguards,” a Comelec official said.

The Comelec also prohibits even private individuals, particularly the politicians during the election period, to hire several private security guards who will always accompany them wherever they go such as in campaign sorties. – Rene U. Borromeo/MEEV (THE FREEMAN)