Security detail

She has yet to file her candidacy for the post of president of the Association of Barangay Captains/Councils in Cebu City at the time and yet Mabolo Barangay Captain Prisca Niña Mabatid had the good fortune/privilege of being offered 20 cops to secure her and her family from what she claimed were death threats issued to her.

Mabatid’s special security detail offer comes amid ongoing discussion from mayors across the country on the possibility of hiring bodyguards for their security amid the killings in broad daylight of Tanauan City Mayor Antonio Halili and General Tinio Mayor Ferdinand Bote.

The mayors were advised to observe procedure in the hiring of bodyguards who would augment the security detail already provided for by the Philippine National Police (PNP). But Mabatid appeared to be a special case.

The hiring of bodyguards don’t come cheap and police detail for public officials especially large security contingents are usually reserved for higher ups and VIPs amd are paid for with taxpayers money.

But Mabatid claimed that the Office of the President is willing to provide her this large security contingent even if she has yet to confirm her ABC bid at the time she disclosed this.

Supt. Artemio Ricabo, deputy director for administration of the Cebu City police also said there was also a verbal order for the 20-cop security detail from the Office of the Presidential Assistant to the Visayas who may or may not have a special stake in the ABC elections in Cebu City.

Hopefully with a large enough security detail for her and her family, Mabatid will actively avoid any altercation similar to her recent hotel episode that got her booted out of the Bando Osmeña-Pundok Kauswagan (BO-PK).

To be fair, the Cebu City police had yet to fully assess how serious, let alone how valid and accurate these death threats are. Regardless whether she is a barangay captain or a private citizen,

Mabatid has every right to ensure her security and her family’s safety.

But if one were to ask Chief Supt. Debold Sinas, Police Regional Office chief, Mabatid can only be issued two, not 20, cops for security detail.

Mabatid must have some serious clout either through the OPAV or through Agriculture Secretary Manny Piñol whom she claimed promised projects to Cebu City barangay officials to warrant such special security privileges.

Would it be too much for Mabatid to pay for her own security detail rather than let taxpayers pay for her security coverage? Police have enough personnel shortage problems to deal with without having to act as bodyguards for politicians.