PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) urged Tuesday politicians and political parties to coordinate with them regarding the activities they are planning to conduct in connection with the election campaign period.
PNP spokesperson Chief Superintendent Wilben Mayor said political groups can tap the local police to ensure peace and order during their campaign meetings and rallies.
He said the local police are always ready for election duty but he reminded PNP personnel to remain non-partisan and apolitical.
The campaign period for candidates for national positions officially started on Tuesday, February 9.
Meanwhile, the PNP also expressed readiness to assist the teams who will conduct the "Oplan Baklas," or the removal of the election posters, which are placed in prohibited areas as declared by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Mayor said as requested by Comelec, the PNP will deploy two policemen in each teams particularly from the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) and Department of Public Works and Highways, tasked to clear or remove the campaign paraphernalia posted in electrical cables or posts, trees and in public places which were declared undesignated areas.
However, he said in the provinces considered as election hot spots or areas of concerns, it is on the local police chief's discretion to provide additional deployment to the clearing teams.
"Ang Philippine National Police ay magbibigay ng personnel sa kanila (clearing teams) kung kinakailangan especially don sa mga critical na areas para bantayan itong mga tauhan ng Comelec at iba pang ahensya ng gobyerno na gagawa nito (Oplan Baklas)," said Mayor.
The police official clarified that the PNP personnel will only provide security to the clearing teams and are not allowed to take part in the removal of campaign posters.
He also urged barangay officials to cooperate with the "Oplan Baklas" by not letting the candidates as well as their supporters to post campaign materials in undesignated areas. (Sunnex)