SENIOR Superintendent Romeo Baleros, newly-installed officer-in-charge of Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo), reminded the police to be neutral and apolitical in the upcoming midterm and local elections in May 2018.
“Kailangan hindi kayo makialam pagdating sa halalan (You should not get involved in the elections),” Baleros said.
“We will always respect the right of suffrage,” he added.
Baleros said the police are not allowed to be used by their relatives, friends, and politicians in supporting their candidacy and political agenda.
“We should all be equal and concentrate more on providing service to the general public,” he said.
“Our role here is to ensure peace and order in the province,” he added.
He directed all the police chiefs to coordinate with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) office in their areas of jurisdiction to attain a peaceful and orderly election.
Lay down the courses of action and work with the Comelec for an honest election, Baleros said.
Part of their security measures is the implementation of checkpoint operations and border security control.
All places with intense political rivalry, sightings of private armed groups, and part of the election watchlist areas (Ewas) will be closely monitored, Baleros said.
Areas infested by the communist rebels will also be given utmost attention to prevent violent election-related incidents, he added.
Baleros said Nocppo will focus on providing security protection to the public and all candidates during the entire election period.
He encouraged politicians to hire guards if they want additional security personnel because the police are for the safety of the public and not just for one person.
Meanwhile, Vice Governor Eugenio Lacson, during the turnover of command ceremony held at Nocppo headquarters on Monday, January 8, said Baleros’s objective for the province’s security is clear but he reminded him of his performance in securing the upcoming election.
“He (Baleros) will be scrutinized about it,” Lacson said.
The vice governor, however, said he is confident that Baleros can perform well his function as he has many years of experience in the police organization.