Reyes orders recall of PNP bodyguards from politicians

By Erly C. Garcia

In the wake of a full revamp of the police force in Abra province in Luzon, Police Regional Office 6 (PRO) regional director Chief Supt. Doroteo Reyes II ordered the recall of all bodyguards and security details to individuals not covered by the existing PNP regulations.

PNP Memorandum Circular 2000-008 requires that only individuals under actual threat could avail of security support from the PNP.

It was learned that stringent processes must be followed before one could be granted of the opportunity to have policemen as security detail.

Reports reaching Camp Crame indicate that the police force is commonly used as private armies and bodyguards of politicians and businessmen in the provinces.

Last April 19, 2005 a radio message was relayed to all PNP units in the country directing the recall of all bodyguards and security details to local government units and other individuals as directed by PNP chief Director General Arturo Lomibao.

In Western Visayas there is no concrete data with regard to the existence of policemen being used as private armies.

However, an official at Camp Delgado admitted that indeed some policemen are being used by some politicians as bodyguards without permission from the PNP higher ups.

The source said that this happens mostly in the municipalities where the mayor has the control over the police.

Last week, DILG Secretary Angelo Reyes ordered the relief of the entire 529-police force of Abra because of reports that some policemen were being used as members of the private armies of local politicians. (With reports from Double R of RMN 774 Iloilo)