PRO-7 director to police personnel: Do not meddle with politics

PRO-7 director Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin attended as the guest of honor during the assumption of office ceremony of the new CPPO provincial director, Police Colonel Percival R. Zorrilla. | Emmariel Ares

CEBU CITY, Philippines – The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) is reminding its personnel to be apolitical and not to meddle with campaigns of candidates running for the upcoming Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Elections (BSKE) 2023.

This was according to Police Brigadier General Anthony Aberin, the director of the Police Regional Office Central Visayas (PRO-7).

Aberin was present as the guest speaker during the assumption of office ceremony of the new provincial director of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) held on Wednesday, October 4,2023.

During his speech, Aberin reminded police officers to exercise their duties properly and to remain neutral in terms of politics.

‘Maintain neutrality’

This was made in response to the reports that the regional director received about two police chiefs and three police non-commissioned officers actively participating in campaigning for the candidates they prefer.

“I have received reports of some officers na talagang they are campaigning for someone or they are campaigning against someone, may I remind you na please maintain neutrality,” he stated.

The director, however, refrained from disclosing the names of the officers concerned or their place of assignment.

Aberin advised police personnel who wish to meddle with political affairs to leave the force and to join politics instead.

“If you cannot maintain neutrality, you file your resignation or retirement and you join politics. Because as long as you are a member of the PNP, we must be apolitical,” he said.

Aberin also relayed a message to the police personnel who were found to be involving themselves in politics who were already relieved of their duties.

“I am directing you to mend your ways. Wag kayong makikilalam sa politika. You talk to your men also na wag silang makialam sa politika,” he stated.

This warning was reiterated by the newly appointed provincial director of CPPO, Police Colonel Percival R. Zorrilla.

The new director of the Cebu Police Provincial Office (CPPO) Police Colonel Percival R. Zorrilla said that police personnel who will violate the order to remain neutral in terms of politics will be facing sanctions. | Emmariel Ares

Zorilla told reporters that police should not favor a candidate over others and that those who will violate this will face sanctions.

“Ang atong kapulisan, kinahanglan mahimo silang neutral, apolitical. Wala silay gipaboran kun dili tanan. Kung naa tay mahibaw an, atong pa-imvestigahan ug naay sanctions nga mahitabo,” he said.

The BSKE 2023 is set to take place on October 30, 2023.

Increased police visibility

During his speech, Aberin also highlighted the important of increased police visibility in order to stop the number of crimes from rising.

He added that police should always stick to the basics of their duties and to always observe police operational procedures for crime prevention and crime resolutions.

According to Aberin, the police should not rely fully on closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage and drone patrolling because it cannot be a substitute for real-time police presence.

“Wag natin iasa sa CCTV, sa drone patrolling. Because the CCTVs and the  drone patrolling cannot prevent crime. Although they will help us in our investigation,” he said.

Not enough for now

As the new provincial director, Zorilla for his part said that increased police visibility is one of his directives for the police force in order to prevent crimes from happening.

“Kita maningkamot ta nga ang atong kapulisan, makit-an ug mafeel ng mga community ang ilahang presence. In a way nga, at least makaprevent ta sa atoang krimen,” he stated.

He added that law enforcers should also be proactive and always be on full alert to keep the public safe from harm.

Zorilla also relayed that the police personnel in the province is not enough as of this writing. However, he assured that they will be maximizing their deployment.

“Naa tay programa nga atong kapulisan, makaperform og point-to-point patrolling, urban patrolling. Naa tay mga force multipliers,” he stated.

Before assuming the post as the provincial director, Zorilla served as the head of the Personnel and Records Management Division of Police Regional Office (PRO 7).

READ MORE: PRO-7 chief reminds policemen in Central Visayas to stay apolitical