PNP to reassign cops with kin running in BSKE

MANILA, Philippines — At least 327 police officers who have relatives running in the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) on Oct. 30 will be reassigned outside their areas of responsibility.

Col. Jean Fajardo, spokesperson for the Philippine National Police, said the temporary reassignment of police officers with relatives running for elective posts is a normal process in the PNP.

Fajardo said the move aims to allay fears that the police would influence the outcome of the elections.

She said the final number of policemen to be reassigned would be known once candidates file their certificates of candidacy on Aug. 28.

Fajardo said politicians who feel their opponents are receiving any form of assistance from policemen that would give them an advantage in the elections should inform the PNP.

She reminded candidates that complaints would have to be validated before police officers can be reassigned.

The PNP presented to the Commission on Elections (Comelec) during a security briefing on Tuesday an initial list of 27 areas of concern under the red category.

These are areas with a history of intense political rivalries and election-related incidents as well as presence of communist rebels and other lawless groups.

Fajardo said the 27 are mostly in Western Visayas, Central Visayas and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao.

She said the Comelec would come up with a final list after a review and validation.

48 areas of concern in Zamboanga peninsula

In Zamboanga peninsula, police have identified 48 areas of concern.

Brig. Gen. Neil Alinsañgan, regional police director, said there are 21 areas of concern, 26 areas of immediate concern and one area of grave concern in the region.

Areas of concern have reported election-related incidents in the past two elections while areas of immediate concern have recorded presence of armed rebel groups.

Areas of grave concern are placed under the control of the Comelec due to possible violence and intense political rivalry.

Alinsañgan said there is no private armed group in Zamboanga peninsula, but the police and military are monitoring criminal syndicates reportedly utilized in previous elections.

The Comelec  activated yesterday the Regional Joint Control Center (RJSCC) in Zamboanga peninsula to ensure a safe, democratic and fair BSKE.

Alinsañgan said the activation of the RJSCC is necessary to ensure the safety and welfare of the public, candidates and election personnel.

Early this month, around 7,000 police personnel and officers were deployed in Zamboanga peninsula in preparation for the elections.