Davao police on Marcos security memo: We are ‘apolitical’
HANDS OFF President Marcos fields questions about the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte at a Palace press
briefing. — MARIANNE BERMUDEZ
MANILA, Philippines — The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has clarified issues on the “unauthorized” circulation of a memorandum concerning its personnel tasked to ensure the safety of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas rally in the region.
DPCO acting director Col. Hansel Marantan was pertaining to a memorandum instructing the police personnel “to wear civilian clothes with a touch of red (without firearms).”
“DPCO remains an apolitical and non-partisan organization committed solely to ensuring public safety and security,” Marantan said in a statement on Saturday night.
He explained that the issuance of the document complied with the request of Police Regional Office 11 (Davao) to augment 55 police personnel to the Presidential Security Command “as inner security” during Marcos’ scheduled visit in Davao del Norte for the rally.
“We emphasize that this deployment is a standard security measure aimed solely at ensuring the security and safety of the President, the event venue, and the public,” Marantan said.
Article continues after this advertisement“DCPO upholds its duty to protect all citizens, regardless of political affiliations, and remains neutral and professional in all its operations. We urge the public to refrain from spreading misinformation or speculation regarding this matter,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementOn Saturday afternoon, Atty. Israelito Torreon, the lawyer of televangelist and alleged rapist Apollo Quiboloy, posted a copy of the memorandum on social media.
“Kawawa naman mga kapatid natin na mga police, ginawa nang raliyista ni BBM para lang may mag-attend sa kanilang rally,” his post reads.
(I pity our policemen brothers, BBM made them rallyists just so that someone would attend their rally.)
“Basahin ninyo Paragraph 4. ‘All detailed PNP Personnel must wear civilian attire with touch of red (without firearms) xxx’ Ano ibig sabihin nito kundi ginawa ng raliyista ang mga police. Anong gawain nila kung may gulo? Manuntok?” he asked.
(Read Paragraph 4. “All detailed PNP Personnel must wear civilian attire with a touch of red (without firearms) xxx” What’s the meaning of this? If you turn the police to rallyists what will they do if things get messy? Punch others?)
