PNP, AFP to establish security coordinating centers for 2010 polls

MANILA, Philippines - The military and the police have agreed to establish centers for coordinating security efforts in preparation for next year’s elections.

Philippine National Police chief Director General Jesus Verzosa said the Joint Security Coordinating Centers (JSCC) are intended to counter threats to stability during the election period, particularly in the so-called “election watchlist areas.”

“These JSCC will be designed to stop proliferation of loose firearms, stop political killings, and dismantle partisan armed groups and arrest their members,” Verzosa said.

He said the JSCC would also ensure better operational coordination between the PNP and the Armed Forces of the Philippines in preparation for the May 2010 elections.

“It is the thrust of the AFP and the PNP to protect democracy, and with these efforts, both will ensure that the sacred right to suffrage of the Filipino people will be upheld and protected,” AFP chief Gen. Victor Ibrado said.

“This is to effectively counter threats posed by different threat groups, including the New People’s Army, and organized crime groups, dismantle partisan armed groups and arrest its members, stop political killings, and stop the proliferation of loose firearms during the election season,” AFP Public Information Office chief Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said.

But at the start of the election period on Jan.10, Commission on Elections officials will chair the coordinating centers, which will be renamed Comelec Joint Security Control Desk (JSCD).

Verzosa and Ibrado signed the agreement on Wednesday.

Verzosa emphasized that only bonafide members of the AFP, PNP and other law enforcement agencies in proper uniform and in the performance of their official functions shall be allowed to carry firearms.

Stiffer punishment

The PNP, meanwhile, said it is confident that the measure proposing stiffer penalties for illegal gun possession will be signed into law in time for the start of the election gun ban next year.

“(The bill) is now with the Senate. We are confident that it will be approved before the start of the election gun ban,” Chief Supt. Ireno Bacolod, director of the PNP’s Civil Security Group, told reporters yesterday.

The total gun ban is from Jan. 10 to June 9 next year, during which time only police officers, law enforcement agents and military personnel on official duty will be allowed to carry guns in public. – With Jaime Laude and Mike Frialde