CABANATUAN CITY – The chief of the Central Luzon police on Friday ordered the designation of liaison officers, but sternly warned against moonlighting as security people to candidates in the forthcoming national and local elections.
Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo, director of the Police Regional Office 3 (Central Luzon), said the liaison officers shall serve as focal persons to get the candidates’ concerns.
“Kung anuman po ‘yung concern nila ay ma-address po natin at hindi nila iisipin na meron tayong pinapanigan (Whatever their concerns are, we must be able to address it so they would not think that we are favoring anyone),” she explained in an interview after a command conference here.
“Ang bilin ko at ang utos ko sa ating mga chiefs of police (COPs) ay siguraduhin na maiwasan ‘yung pagkakaroon ng iringan at tensyon sa mga kandidato. Kasi ‘yun ang maaaring pagsimulan ng kaguluhan (My instruction and order to our chiefs of police is to make sure bickering and tension would be prevented among candidates. Because that is what is causes trouble).”
Fajardo warned that heads would roll once reports of police personnel moonlighting as security details of politicians without authorization from the Commission on Elections (Comelec) turn positive.
She declined to identify the province or areas in the region with such situation but said there is a “double digit” number of these personnel based on reports submitted to her office on Thursday.
“Kapag meron po tayong namonitor at na-validate na nagmu-moonlighting po as security escort kaninuman ay (Once we have monitored and validated those moonlighting as security escort) corresponding criminal and administrative cases will be filed against them,” she said, adding that officers of these cops may also be punished.
During her visit, Fajardo checked police’s mobility and safety equipment, as well as the volume of guns seized in previous operations and voluntarily deposited by owners. (PNA)