Dela Rosa security without Comelec authorization - PNP

Metro Manila, Philippines - Senator Ronald "Bato" dela Rosa's security escorts have been recalled as they have no clearance from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Wednesday, March 26.

PNP spokesperson PBGen Jean Fajardo refuted dela Rosa’s claim that he has been stripped of police security detail in Davao City amid talk of his impending arrest from the International Criminal Court due to his involvement in the bloody drug war.

Fajardo said Comelec ordered the recall of all security personnel under its Resolution 11067, or the Election Gun Ban. The senator’s escorts were recalled on Jan. 13.

“Hindi totoo 'yung kumakalat na balita na ngayon lang 'yan inalis. In fact, nakalimutan na marahil banggitin ng ating kagalang-galang na senador na merong naka-detail sa kanya na apat na protective security personnel na meron 'yan na approved na Certificate of Authority or Exemption from the Comelec. Tatagal 'yan, 'yang authority na 'yan hanggang June 11, 2025,” Fajardo said in a press briefing.

[Translation: The news that the personnel were recently removed is false. In fact, the senator may have forgotten to mention that he has four protective security personnel who have an approved Certificate of Authority or Exemption from the Comelec. The authorization will be until June 11, 2025.]

Fajardo said each person should only have a maximum of two security personnel under the Comelec resolution.

“If there is a need to increase the protective security personnel ng isang indibidwal ay depende 'yan sa magiging [of an individual, it depends on the] decision at [and] approval of the Comelec,” she said.

Tle election gun ban took effect on Jan. 12 and will end on June 11, a month after the polls.