No vacation for cops this election
Except for sick and maternity leaves, policemen could no longer avail of leave benefits starting March 30 until June 14, 2007.
Police Regional Office (PRO 6) director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay Jr. recently issued the directive pursuant to PNP National Headquarters guidelines on the filing of leaves during election and Comelec Resolution No. 7788.
The cancellation of leaves include those already approved to be spent within that period.
Dulay explained that the suspension and cancellation of leaves of police is necessary as PRO 6 needs to maximize its ranks in the implementation of aggressive measures to prevent the occurrence of any election-related violent incident (ERVI) in the region.
As reported earlier, Western Visayas has 78 watchlist of areas this election, of which, 54 municipalities are classified as election areas of immediate concern.
Dulay had already directed all Chiefs of Police in the concerned municipalities to intensify the implementation of pro-active and aggressive measures, to avoid the occurrence of any election-related violent incidents in their respective areas of responsibility. He also reiterated that as a matter of policy, the occurrence of an ERVI shall be taken against the efficiency of the concerned Provincial or City Director under the concept of Command Responsibility.
The top cop, however, assured additional police personnel to man those areas where there are intense political rivalries between political candidates. He previously announced the augmentation of 100 PO1s from 6th Regional Mobile Group to police stations in municipalities that are considered as election areas of immediate concern.
(PIO-PRO6)