PNP eyes reassignment of cops with kin running for local posts in Eleksyon 2022

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said it is considering reassigning its personnel whose family members and relatives are running for local positions in the 2022 elections.

In a statement, PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar ordered the accounting of such police officers to prevent them from engaging in partisan politics.

“I have already instructed all chiefs of police to start the accounting of their respective personnel whose relatives have already filed the COC or would certainly run for public office in the May elections,” he said.

“The purpose is to possibly re-assign them eventually in other areas outside the cities, municipalities and provinces where relatives of our personnel would seek elective posts,” he added.

Eleazar said there were previous complaints and reports on some police personnel actively campaigning for their relatives and intervening on their behalf.

While saying that most of the allegations are not true, Eleazar pointed out that police officers may also be subjected to harassment and victims of false allegations.

“This is to ensure that any of our personnel would not be given the opportunity to intervene and likewise prevent speculations and allegations in the future that the PNP is engaging in partisan politics, especially at the local level,” he said.

Eleazar vowed that the PNP would remain apolitical and will hold any personnel accountable if they engage in partisan politics. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News