As the election season officially started with the filing of certificates of candidacy (COC) beginning October 1 to 8, members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) are reminded that they should be loyal to the people and the Constitution, not to politicians

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar yesterday warned that any police officer found engaging in partisan politics will be sanctioned.

In a statement, Eleazar ordered PNP personnel to stay away from candidates, both local and national, saying this has always been the stand of the 222,000-strong organization.

“I am warning all our personnel not to meddle into political activities or do things that can be misconstrued as expressions of support to any candidate. Mananagot sa akin ang sinumang makikisawsaw sa pulitika sa aming hanay,” he stated.

Eleazar earlier ordered an aggressive campaign against loose firearms and private armed groups as part of early security preparations to ensure the peaceful, honest, and orderly conduct of the national and local elections on May 9, 2022.

Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) has earlier issued a statement that law enforcers must avoid dipping their fingers into politics and remain non-partisan as the 2022 national election draws near.

“Remember that the role of the police is to enforce the law, preserve peace and order and security of everyone, not politics,” PRO-6 said.

The filing of COC is ongoing nationwide until Friday, October 8, while the extended voters’ registration will be on October 11 to 30.

Voters will elect the president, vice president, 12 senators, and 63 seats for party-list representatives.

Local posts include 253 district representatives, 81 governors, 81 vice governors, 782 provincial board members; 146 city mayors, 146 city vice mayors, 1,650 city councilors; 1,488 municipal mayors; 1,488 municipal vice mayors; and 11,908 municipal councilors. (With a report from PNA)