ILOILO City – The Philippine National Police (PNP) approved the applications of four congressmen and two governors for police escorts this election period.
Police Brigadier General John Bulalacao, regional police director, identified the four as Iloilo’s Gov. Arthur Defensor Sr., Antique’s Gov. Rhodora Cadiao, Iloilo City’s Cong. Jerry Treñas, Iloilo 5th District’s Raul Tupas, Antique’s Cong. Paolo Javier, and Bacolod City’s Cong. Greg Gasataya. Bulalacao recommended the approval of the applications to PNP’s Director General Oscar Albayalde.
The six officials will each have two police escorts. Except for Defensor, the officials were running for the May 13 elections.
“So far ito lang muna ang na-approve na requests ng mga kandidato. We can only give them at most two police escorts kasi kung marami kukulangin tayo ng tao,” said Bulalacao.
He did not say how many requests for security the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) received from either local officials (running or not running for the May13 elections) or private individuals (running or not running, too).
The police director, however, clarified that they will be providing security during campaign sorties of local candidates as part of efforts to keep the election season peaceful and orderly.
“Magpa-patrol sila. They will leave the place after ng activity,” said Bulalacao.
The election period started on Jan. 13 and wound end on June 12, 2019.
The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups kicked off on Feb. 12 and would end on May 11.
On the other hand, the campaign period for local bets – for governors down to municipal councilors and for district representatives – stated on March 29 and would wrap up on May 11, too.
“We are appealing to the candidates and their supporters to campaign peacefully. Sportsmanship should be observed. Sana walang gulo hanggang sa election day,” said Bulalacao./PN
