Stay apolitical. This was the reminder of independent senatorial candidate and former Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson to the police force as the May 12 midterm elections draw closer.
Lacson said that while there is nothing keeping police personnel from becoming friends with candidates, their priority is to maintain peace and order, and to stay away from partisan politics.
“Remain apolitical. That is the rule of the PNP, that when there is an election or other political exercise, they should not take sides,” he said in an interview on DZRH radio, when asked what advice he would give the PNP, which he headed from 1999 to 2001.
Related: Paalala ni Ping Lacson sa PNP: Manatiling Apolitical sa Election Period
He also said police regional directors and local commanders may need to keep an eye on their personnel to make sure this is observed.
“They are there to maintain peace and order. So the PNP leadership must be alert. Regional directors and commanders should keep an eye on their men to make sure they don’t engage in partisan politics,” he said.
Also, Lacson appealed to those running in the national and local elections not to use their policeman friends for partisan politics, as this will get them in trouble.
Lacson said the police personnel will be held liable if they are caught with evidence of participation in political partisanship.
“Let’s not get our policemen in trouble. The policemen will be held accountable if there is evidence that they took part in partisan activities,” he said.
*****
Paalala ni Ping Lacson sa PNP: Manatiling Apolitical sa Election Period
Manatiling apolitical. Ito ang paalala ni independent senatorial candidate at dating Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Panfilo “Ping” M. Lacson sa kapulisan habang papalapit ang midterm elections sa Mayo 12.
Ani Lacson, bagama’t walang pumipigil sa pulis na maging kaibigan ng mga kandidato, ang prayoridad nila ngayon ay panatilihin ang katahimikan at kaayusan – at lumayo sa partisan politics.
“Remain apolitical. Kasi yan ang rule ng PNP, pag may election, pag may ganyang political exercises, huwag makikialam,” aniya sa panayam sa DZRH, nang tinanong kung anong payo ang maibibigay niya sa kapulisan na kanyang pinamunuan noong 1999 hanggang 2001.
Dagdag ni Lacson, dapat bantayan ng mga police regional directors and local commanders sa tauhan nila para tiyaking nasusunod ito.
“Nandiyan sila para mag-maintain ng peace and order. So dapat maging mapagmatyag ang leadership, RDs and commanders, na bantayan ang tauhan nila na huwag makikilahok sa partisan politics kasi big no,” aniya.
Umapela din si Lacson sa mga tumatakbo sa pambansa at lokal na halalan na huwag gamitin ang mga pulis para sa partisan politics, dahil mapapahamak ang mga pulis.
Aniya, maaaring sumabit ang pulis kung nahuli silang may ebidensya na nakilahok sila sa partisan political activity.
“Huwag natin ipahamak ang mga pulis. After all, pananagutan nila yan pag sila ay nahuli o nakuhanan ng maski anong ebidensya na sila nag-participate ng partisanship,” aniya.
*****