Lacson reminds PNP amid election fever: Remain apolitical

Former senator Panfilo Lacson. — Inquirer file photo

MANILA, Philippines — With the midterm elections only days away, former senator Panfilo Lacson has reminded the Philippine National Police (PNP) to remain professional and apolitical while ensuring peace and order.

Lacson, a former PNP chief himself, said that police personnel can be friends with candidates, but their priority is to maintain peace and order while staying away from partisan politics.

“Remain apolitical. That is the rule of the PNP, that when there is an election or other political exercise, they should not take sides,” Lacson said in a radio interview with DZRH, transcripts of which were sent to reporters.

“They are there to maintain peace and order. So the PNP leadership must be alert. Regional directors and commanders should keep an eye on their men to make sure they don’t engage in partisan politics,” he added.

Lacson, meanwhile, appealed to his fellow candidates in the midterm polls — whether it be for the local or the national elections — to “not get our policemen in trouble. The policemen will be held accountable if there is evidence that they took part in partisan activities.”

The former senator is seeking a return to the Senate, running under the Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas slate.

The PNP will have its hands full in terms of securing areas amid the election season, considering the country’s long history of election-related violence.  In 2009, the single-largest killing of journalists in the world occurred during an election season, when a convoy of media personalities and female supporters of Maguindanao 2nd District Esmael “Toto” Mangudadatu were ambushed by armed men in 2009.

Mangudadatu was then seeking the gubernatorial seat of Maguindanao, challenging the Ampatuans’ grip on the province.  Members of the Ampatuan clan, including former Datu Unsay mayor Andal Ampatuan Jr., were convicted in December 2019 for the massacre.

READ: Andal Ampatuan Jr., kin guilty for Maguindanao massacre of 57 people 

For 2025, several incidents have marred the campaign season.  In February, Vice Mayor Mohammad Omar Samama of Datu Piang, Maguindanao del Sur, who is seeking reelection, was shot while he was speaking during a medical mission.

Samama, son of Datu Piang Mayor Victor Samama, sustained several injuries.  He was brought to an undisclosed hospital in Maguindanao del Sur.

READ: Maguindanao del Sur’s vice mayor bet hurt in ambush 

Aside from this attempt on Samama’s life, two more two gun attacks were recorded in Mindanao, particularly in Cotabato City on Tuesday and in Lanao del Sur during the same month.

READ: Violence rears ugly head in BARMM 

Despite these, the PNP is confident about being able to maintain peace on May 12 or election day, as there are fewer areas of concern for the 2025 midterm polls.

PNP Director for Police Community Relations Maj. Gen. Roderick Augustus Alba said that in 2019, there were 941 election watchlist areas or areas of concern, which went down to 844 for the 2022 national elections.

READ: PNP sees fewer ‘areas of concern’ in 2025 compared to previous elections

As of April 25, there were only 362 areas being monitored for the 2025 midterm polls./das