PNP to recall security details of officials running in 2016

MANILA, Philippines – The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said that police security of government officials will be recalled upon their filing of candidacy for the 2016 elections.

“We are reminding that PNP Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) will pull out the police security of government officials who will run as candidates for the 2016 elections,” PSPG Spokesman Superintendent Rogelio Simon said.

Simon disclosed that there are about 87 government officials and VIPs on their list for the possible removal of security details.

For electoral candidates however, Simon clarified that they may still apply for security details but they will undergo processes such as threat assessment.

“We will assess if the threat exists, and if threat is highly probable, that's the time we will be providing PSPG to politicians,” Simon said.

Upon approval of the request, the electoral candidate will have no more than two police security.

Simon encouraged PNP-PSPG to stand by their job description on giving protection and security. He stressed that PSPGs are not allowed to serve as errand boys during the campaign and election period.

"It is a violation, it revokes the dignity of their autonomy," Simon said.

Meanwhile, Simon said that there will be exclusions from the security recall as some officials are considered as mandatory protectees. President, vice president, senate president, house speaker, chief justice, Department of Defense secretary, and Department of Interior and Local Government secretary are exempted from the security recall.

Simon said that the Commission on Election will be deciding on the removal of the security escorts of Vice President Jejomar Binay since he already announced that he will run for president in 2016 elections.