Napolcom won’t spare high-ranking PNP officers from electioneering charges

By Ronron
March 13, 2007

The National Police Commission (NAPOLCOM) warned high-ranking officers of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Tuesday that they will also face the penalty of dismissal from the service once they are found to be electioneering.

Napolcom Director for Personnel and Administrative Services Isidro Siriban said during the Talakayan Sa Isyung Pulis (TSIP) forum yesterday at Camp Crame that top PNP officials should also distance themselves from partisan politics as much as it wants ordinary policemen to do the same.

Those found engaged in partisan politics could be dismissed from the service, depending on the gravity of their actuations, he said.

“If it warrants dismissal, then so be it,” Siriban said.

At the moment though, Siriban said the Napolcom has yet to receive reports about policemen violating said policy.

Asked what actions warrant a dismissal, Siriban cited: serving as bodyguards to some candidates and harassing people to get votes for candidates.

“This is the level that they should not do as it could mean dismissal from the service,” Siriban explained.

Siriban said the role of policemen for the coming election is only to vote and then, secure the elections upon the orders of the Commission on Elections (Comelec).

But he assured that all police officers who will be accused of violating the policy will be “given their day in court” and “due process.”

The PNP was tasked solely to provide security for the May 14 elections after the role of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) was limited by the Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) forged by the Comelec and the Defense department in October last year./DMS