PNP recalls 674 police security detail ahead of Eleksyon 2025

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said it has recalled a total of 674 police officers of the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) from their duty in light of the upcoming May elections.

“As of January 12 ay umabot na po sa 674 ang mga na-recall po na protective security personnel from PSPG. Out of the figures po, mga 197 na kandidato po ang natanggalan ng protective security personnel po,” PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Jean Fajardo said at a  briefing.

(As of January 12, the number of recalled protective security personnel from PSPG has reached 674. Out of this number, about 197 candidates were stripped of protective security personnel.)

The 197 affected candidates include those running for governor, mayor, and councilor, according to Fajardo.

Under the Commission on Elections Resolution No. 11067, no person shall employ, avail, or engage the services of security personnel or bodyguards during the election period which started January 12.

Those individuals who are facing security threats may apply for exemption.

“As a matter of procedure, habang ang kanilang application for certificate of authority or at least exemption to avail security detail, ay meron na pong kapangyarihan po ang PNP na mag-isyu ng temporary authority to avail security detail,” Fajardo said.

(As a matter of procedure, while their application for certificate of authority or at least exemption to avail security detail, the PNP already has the power to issue a temporary authority to avail security detail.)

“Hindi rin po natin puwede ipagwalang-bahala yung threats po particularly ng mga kandidato (We can't ignore the threats especially against the candidates),” she added.

A temporary authority to avail security details will be given to them for 30 days only, which will need the approval from the regional joint security control center and will be forwarded to the Comelec.

The campaign period for senatorial candidates and party-list groups is set from February 11 to March 10, 2025. Meanwhile, the campaign period for candidates for House of Representatives and parliamentary, provincial, city and municipal elections will be from March 28 to May 10.

Election Day is on May 12, but overseas voters may cast their votes from April 13 to May 12, while local absentee voters may cast their votes from April 28 to 30. — RSJ, GMA Integrated News