IPPO told to probe 'partisan' cops
Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Elizabeth Doronila has called on the Iloilo Provincial Police Office (IPPO) to verify reports that certain cops in the fifth district of Iloilo engage in partisan politics by favoring certain candidates for the upcoming elections.
Doronila stressed that policemen are prohibited from publicly favoring certain candidates. She said the role of the police this elections is primarily to ensure peace and order.
Doronila, however, refused to identify the policemen and the towns concerned pending verification by the IPPO.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) is one of the deputized units of the Comelec in this election period.
Doronila said she has already tasked IPPO provincial director Senior Supt. Melvin Mongcal to check on the validity of the information reaching their office.
Doronila assured that they will follow due process as regards the removal or transfer of police personnel.
She said every complaint reaching their office involving policemen are carefully validated.
Sometimes, Doronila said, it is the politicians themselves which create a scenario in order to boot out cops not heeding their demands.
In this election period, it is only the Comelec that could effect the transfer of police personnel.
Any movement of personnel from the Philippine National Police and the Armed Forces of the Philippines related to the maintenance of peace and order in this May political exercise should be approved by the Comelec en banc.
Earlier, Police Regional Office (PRO 6) director Chief Supt. Wilfredo Dulay called on all policemen in the region to be apolitical.
Dulay also exhorted all police units to be always on guard to avert the occurrence of election-related violence.