CAGAYAN DE ORO CITY 鈥�- Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Oscar Albayalde reminded all policemen in the country that they must not get themselves involved in partisan politics with the election only days away.
鈥淥ur constant reminder to them is to remain non-partisan, apolitical. We don鈥檛 meddle with the political affairs of anybody or in any locality for that matter,鈥� Albayalde told reporters during the turn-over of the regional police command at Camp Vicente Alagar in Barangay Lapasan, this city, on Friday, May 10.
The PNP chief also urged the electorate not to sell their votes amid reports of massive vote-buying in some parts of the country in the run-up to the May 13 midterm polls.
The PNP has been 鈥渞elentless in (its) campaign against vote-buying,鈥� he stressed.
鈥淥ur people should always vote wisely. Of course, we don鈥檛 sell our vote. Just because you accepted some money it doesn鈥檛 mean you have to vote those whom you received money from,鈥� Albayalde said.
During Friday鈥檚 turnover ceremony, Albayalde presided over the change of Northern Mindanao Police Regional Office (PRO-10) leadership from Police Brig. Gen. Timoteo Pacleb to Police Brig. Gen. Rafael Santiago Jr.
Pacleb will be reassigned as the director of the Directorate for Intelligence based in Camp Crame, while Santiago has left the PNP Retirement and Benefits Administration Section to take over the post vacated by Pacleb, said Police Lt. Col. Surki Sere帽as, PRO-10 spokesperson.
Sere帽as said the Commission on Elections cleared the reassignments of Pacleb and Santiago.
Sere帽as said around 6,000 police personnel have been deployed in聽 Lanao del Norte, Bukidnon, Misamis Oriental, and Misamis Occidental.
Camiguin did not request for an augmentation force as the island-province is peaceful and not an election hotspot, added Sere帽as.
He said PRO-10鈥檚 personnel of 8,206 policemen would also be ready for deployment in areas listed as election hotspots if needed. (Editor: Leti Z. Boniol)