Ecija’s top cop recalls 100 police bodyguards of local politicians

CABANATUAN CITY – At least 100 policemen assigned as bodyguards of local politicians in Nueva Ecija have been recalled by the newly installed provincial director of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the province.

Senior Superintendent Agripino Javier told The STAR that the police bodyguards were mostly assigned to secure the 27 municipal and five city mayors in the province.

“So far, we have recalled all the police bodyguards assigned to the mayors,” he said, adding that the provincial police is currently evaluating the security conditions of each local chief executive.

Javier, who assumed the provincial directorship from Senior Superintendent Alfredo Caballes last July 1, said he might reinstate the police escorts but it will depend on the need of politicians and only after careful evaluation.

 He stressed that police escorts would also undergo regular shifting as a standard practice to prevent fraternization with local politicians.

Javier said he has not acted on any single request from the municipal or city mayors to assign a new batch of police escorts to them. “Since I have not approved any request for assignment or detail of bodyguards, maintaining of police escorts by the mayors would be illegal,” he said.