AFP, PNP officials to sign election guidelines

MANILA, Philippines - Officials of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) are set to sign tomorrow (Thursday) a joint operational guidelines that will serve as their “Bible” in the forthcoming May national and local elections as deputized agencies of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

Lt. Col. Romeo Brawner said the scheduled signing of the Joint Letter Directive from the Comelec would pave the way for the full enforcement of the total gun ban from Jan. 10 to July 9.

“After the signing, it’s all systems go. Starting Jan. 10 we start the full enforcement of the gun ban,” Brawner said.

The Joint Letter Directive orders the military and the police to strictly enforce the total gun ban and to run after candidates with dozens of armed security details.

Brawner said the military will specifically focus its efforts on known political warlords who, in the runup to the national and local elections, may employ private armed groups or organized crime syndicates to influence the result of the elections.

On concerns raised about soldiers deployed on the frontlines might be used by national and local candidates to influence, harass and coerce voters, Brawner said they will be tried by a military court.

As approved by the Comelec, only soldiers who are assigned in the division and area commands can be deployed as security details of politicians, upon the politicians’ request.

Soldiers who are on the brigade and battalion level and down, including paramilitary forces, are barred from performing security duties for politicians.

“Soldiers who are assigned in the frontlines, once caught moonlighting as security personnel of any politician will be dealt with accordingly,” Brawner said.

To ensure 100 percent enforcement of this directive, Brawner enjoined the public to report to higher headquarters any unauthorized soldier seen with campaigning politicians.

“We have an established Joint Security Coordinating Center (JSCC) chaired by a Comelec official in every province and region where the public can report, either through text or photographs, violations committed by members of the uniformed services,” Brawner said.    – Jaime Laude