PNP to guard against big politicians’ infiltration on Oct. 29 polls

By Ronron
October 17, 2007

The Philippine National Police (PNP) will be guarding against the infiltration of big politicians during the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections on October 29.

PNP spokesman Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao, Jr. said Wednesday that under the law, elected officials from the municipal level upwards are not allowed to express support to the barangay and sangguniang bayan election candidates because this is supposed to be an apolitical and non-partisan activity.

Pagdilao cited as example the presence of elected officials during campaign activities and their appearance in the campaign poster materials of the candidates.

“We look at this as a prelude to the 2010 elections. So, even if this is supposed to be apolitical and non-partisan, there could be partisan influence working here,” Pagdilao said.

Thus, as the deputized agency of the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the PNP, Pagdilao said, will have to make sure that this provision is not violated.

He said he expects the Comelec to come up with “clear cut marching orders” about the campaign policies when the campaign starts on October 19 so every PNP personnel would know what should they do and should not.

Pagdilao said it is really likely that elected officials will work their way during the upcoming elections “to control the mass base or ground level” for the 2010 elections.

Meanwhile, Pagdilao expressed confidence that the upcoming elections will be peaceful based on the current trend of election-related incidents.

Without giving details, Pagdilao said there have so far been eight election-related violent incidents reported to the PNP since the start of the election period last September 29.

“This is smaller compared to the 159 incidents recorded during the 2002 barangay elections… So, the figures won’t support any fears of a violent barangay elections this year,” he said.

He also noted that for this year, only more than 4,000 barangays are being considered as “hotspots” compared to the almost 7,000 in the 2002 elections.

Asked why these foreseen peaceful scenario, Pagdilao said: “I think it’s the maturity of the electorate, which was also reflected in the May 14 elections where there were less violence. The electorate has become matured and more responsible. Also, the help of all stakeholders, the PNP, the Comelec, and other security forces. I think these are all factors to a better situation.”/DMS