Politicos swarm Comelec with request for security
As of Monday, some 60-70 politicians running for mayor upwards in Western Visayas have asked the Commission on Elections (Comelec) for security details.
And everyday, the number increases faster, said Comelec regional director Atty. Dennis Ausan.
Of the said number, Ausan assured that some of them could be given temporary permits for security details Wednesday.
“We would be processing temporary permits and we would be issuing that tomorrow (January 13),” he added.
“We don’t want these persons involved with existing security details that they might experience sort of vacuum for a few days without security details,” Ausan stated.
But the regional election officer clarified that not all of the applicants will be given temporary security details.
“Not all of them will be given. The temporary permits will be issued only for those with existing security details. It already presupposes that when they were given before, they already went through the security evaluation and has passed,” Ausan explained.
The temporary permit of the Regional Joint Security Control Center (R-JSCC) is only good for 30 days on the assumption that within that given time, the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP) at Main Office of Comelec has already acted on their application.
For those without existing security details, the Comelec would have to process them and come up with threat and security evaluation on their application and come out with recommendation.
Meanwhile, Ausan noted that under the Comelec gun ban guidelines, only candidates from mayor upwards will be provided with PNP/AFP security details while others may engage the services of protective agents.
Further, not more than two members of PNP/AFP/NBI shall be detailed as security for each candidate, with the addition, upon request, of not more than two protective agents, save in exceptionally meritorious circumstances where additional security details may be requested by candidates for national elective positions, subject to such conditions and restrictions that the Comelec may impose.
“But for those running for vice mayor and sanguniang bayan or panlungosd, they could still avail of security only that they cannot avail the services of the PNP and AFP or NBI because they are only allowed to engage the services of personnel coming from accredited private security agencies,” Ausan said.
To note, all existing authority granting security detail are also revoked effective January 10, 2010. Affected officials/individuals may reapply for availment of same with Comelec.
