Sunday, May 13, 2007 Police told anew to be neutral in polls
PNP Chief Oscar Calderon on Friday reminded all police officers and men to remain neutral in the synchronized senatorial and local elections on Monday.
“The duty of the police is to ensure a peaceful election,” said Calderon as the 120,000-strong police force went on a nationwide heightened alert in time for the elections.
Unlike before, the PNP is the principal agency tasked to secure the elections. Before, it was the military that played the crucial role in the protection of the sanctity of the electoral process.
The Department of National Defense (DND) had signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), limiting the role of the soldiers in elections so that they will be insulated from partisan politics.
Calderon also appealed to candidates to be vigilant and report irregularities that they can monitor. He also appealed to the candidates and their supporters not resort to violence.
Latest reports from the PNP national headquarters in Camp Crame disclosed that 104 persons have died and 112 others have been wounded in 151 election-related violent incidents throughout the country since the start of the election period last January 16. (VR/Sunnex)
