Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 8) — More security personnel will be deployed for politicians with “validated” threats to life and safety in the wake of attacks on local officials, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday.
PBrig Gen. Matthew Baccay, head of the PNP’ Directorate for Personnel and Records Management, said the police and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) met with officials of the Union of Local Authorities in the Philippines, League of Governors, and the League of Mayors on Tuesday to discuss security measures for elected officials.The meeting was held three days after the assassination of Negros Oriental Governor Roel Degamo in broad daylight at his home.Baccay told the House Committee on Public Order and Safety that the PNP is eyeing what it calls “security package” to local officials facing threats. He said the detail for elected politicians is limited to two personnel. “But the PNP’s in the process of studying providing a security package especially for those with threat assessments that are validated,” Baccay said. “For now… the move of the PNP is [to] provide additional security personnel for those with validated threat assessment and for the others who wish to avail of PSPs (protective security personnel) and PAs (protection agent).”The police official said the PNP will also step up operations against guns for hire and conduct checkpoints in possible hotspots ahead of the Oct. 30 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.Threats against elected officials will be continuously validated, he added.Meanwhile, lawmakers said the PNP should step up security measures for elected officials.
