Former President Benigno Aquino III 鈥擡DWIN BACASMAS/INQUIRER FILE PHOTO
There is no request yet from former President Benigno Aquino III for additional security after the National Democratic Front (NDF) in Southern Mindanao ordered him arrested for the violent dispersal of farmers in Kidapawan April last year, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said聽on Friday.
PNP spokesperson Senior Supt. Dionardo Carlos said the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) has not received any request from Aquino鈥檚 camp to send more personnel to his security team.
鈥淎s a former president, he鈥檚 entitled to have detail security. If there鈥檚 a need to reinforce the number, we鈥檙e more than willing to provide additional security,鈥� Carlos said in a press briefing at Camp Crame.
The PSPG based in Camp Crame is the PNP鈥檚 national support unit tasked to provide security to VIPs, including former presidents.
So far, the PNP has not monitored any security threat against Aquino, said Carlos.
鈥淚f there鈥檚 a threat, a threat assessment will be made. We will take the necessary measure. Kahit naman po kami 鈥榙i nahainan ng request at may assessment kami, we will take action,鈥� he said.
Last week, the political arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines in Southern Mindanao accused Aquino and other government officials of 鈥渨ar crimes, crimes against humanity and other serious violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law.鈥�
Aside from Aquino, the 鈥渞evolutionary government鈥� ordered arrested North Cotabato Gov. Emmylou Tali帽o-Mendoza, Kidapawan City Mayor Joseph Evangelista, North Cotabato Rep. Nancy Catamco, and several military and police officials.
Malaca帽ang came to Aquino鈥檚 defense, saying the arrest order is illegal. It said聽 it will grant protection to the former president.聽JE/rga