PNP clarifies memo on Marcos rally security in Davao
(INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA)
MANILA, Philippines — “Camouflaging” or matching the attire of campaign rally participants has been a normal practice among police personnel tasked to ensure public safety during such events, according to the Philippine National Police (PNP).
PNP Public Information Office chief Col. Randulf Tuaño’s statement came after the Davao City police clarified issues on the “unauthorized” circulation of a memorandum tasking its personnel to ensure the safety of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during a campaign rally in the region.
“We always have intel operatives camouflaging and matching the attire of participants who attend such activities. All activities, including regular rallies not attended by any politicians, we always have intel operatives in camouflage,” Tuaño said in Filipino in a press briefing on Monday.
“If you remember there have been reports where police or soldiers getting mauled if it is found out that they are PNP or AFP [Armed Forces of the Philippines] members,” he added.
Article continues after this advertisementA memorandum instructing Davao police personnel “to wear civilian clothes with a touch of red (without firearms)” during the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas rally circulated online over the weekend.
Israelito Torreon, the lawyer of televangelist and detained Kingdom of Jesus Christ founder Apollo Quiboloy posted a copy of this memorandum on social media and questioned its content.
“I pity our policemen brothers, they were made to attend BBM’s rally [Bongbong Marcos’z rally],” he wrote.
“Read Paragraph 4: “All detailed PNP Personnel must wear civilian attire with a touch of red (without firearms)… What’s the meaning of this? If you turn the police to rallyists what will they do if trouble erupts? Punch others?” he said.
In response, Davao City Police Office acting director Col. Hansel Marantan said his office “remains an apolitical and non-partisan organization committed solely to ensuring public safety and security.”
He explained that the issuance of the document complied with the request of Davao Police Regional Office (PRO 11) to augment 55 police personnel to the Presidential Security Command “as inner security” during Marcos’ scheduled visit to Davao del Norte for the rally.
