Mar, PNP officials to discuss 2013 poll security measures

MANILA, Philippines - Interior Secretary Manuel Roxas II will meet today with police officials to discuss security preparations for next year’s elections.

“One of the topics is the preparations of the Philippine National Police with regard to the upcoming elections,” PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Generoso Cerbo Jr. said in a press briefing yesterday.

The PNP earlier launched Task Force Secured and Fair Elections (SAFE), to ensure the peaceful and orderly conduct of the 2013  elections. The task force used to be known as HOPE or Honest, Peaceful and Orderly Elections.

PNP directorial staff chief director Alan Purisima has been named head of Task Force SAFE.

Purisima earlier said he would prioritize the dismantling of private armed groups as commander of the PNP’s election task force.

“We will pay close attention to the dismantling of private armed groups. We have apprehended people with illegal firearms because of our checkpoints,” Purisima told radio station dzBB last Sunday.

“Our target is to neutralize them by placing them in jail,” he added.

Meanwhile, Muntinlupa City Rep. Rodolfo Biazon is seeking a congressional inquiry into reports that local politicians are using members of the Citizens Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU) as private armies or bodyguards.

Biazon, chairman of the House committee on national defense and security, filed House Resolution 2836, added that CAFGU members are involved in killings and other illegal activities. 

“It’s (use of paramilitary units by politicians) all over the country. But I cannot disclose them yet to be fair. Let these reports come out in the public hearing,” the lawmaker told The STAR.

 He said there is a need to determine if the original intent for the formation of CAFGUs under the Executive Order 264 and Republic Act 7077 is being implemented.

 He said there is also a need to clarify the mission, composition, training, funding, control and supervision of CAFGUs.

”RA 7077 provides that CAFGUs should help maintain local peace and order, meeting the local insurgency threat, assisting in rescue and relief operations during disasters and calamities, health welfare activities and participating in local socio-economic development projects,” Biazon said.– With Paolo Romero