Davao police says circulating Alyansa memo a ‘security measure’

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) has defended the leaked memorandum on social media supposedly ordering police personnel deployed at a campaign rally of President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.’s senatorial bets in Carmen, Davao del Norte, to wear civilian clothes with a touch of red.

In a statement on Saturday, DCPO acting city director Police Colonel Hansel Marantan explained that the internal memorandum which was “unauthorizedly” circulated online was in compliance to a request from the Police Regional Office 11 (PRO 11) to deploy 55 police officers to augment the Presidential Security Command (PSC) during the Alyana senate slate rally on Feb. 15. 

Marcos was present at the event where he personally endorsed his 12-man Alyansa Para sa Bagong Pilipinas senatorial slate in Davao del Norte—a known bailiwick of the Duterte family. 

According to Marantan, the police deployment was only a “standard security measure,” stressing that the DCPO is an apolitical and non-partisan organization.

“We emphasize that this deployment is a standard security measure aimed solely at ensuring the security and safety of the President, the event venue, and the public. DCPO upholds its duty to protect all citizens, regardless of political affiliations, and remains neutral and professional in all its operations,” the Davao police official said. 

He also called on the public to “refrain from spreading misinformation or speculation regarding this matter.” 

“[The] DCPO remains an apolitical and non-partisan organization committed solely to ensuring public safety and security,” Marantan added.

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Political move?

Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, a former DCPO head and ex-Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, said that the order should be investigated. 

Dela Rosa, who is seeking reelection as senator under the banner of PDP Laban led by the Dutertes, emphasized that police should be apolitical, but what they did in the Davao del Norte rally could be seen as a political move. 

“It has to be investigated because you know, mahirap kung ‘yung pulis sumali sa pulitika [it’s difficult if the police will be included in politics]. The police should be apolitical,” the senator said in an ambush interview Sunday.

“So, kung aaralin na ganon na papasuot ng tshirt na pula, that is a political move. Ha? Sama mo doon mga nagra-rally na pula? Pulis, sasama sa rally? Eh bakit, why not use their proper uniform at mag-secure sa area? Bakit kailangan pang pula ang tshirt, para mamulitika ang pulis? That has to be investigated,” he added. 

(If we look at it, the police wearing red shirts could be seen as a political move. What do you mean the police would join the rally wearing red? Why weren’t they ordered to wear their proper uniforms instead to secure the area? Why should they wear red shirts, for politicking? That has to be investigated.) — RF, GMA Integrated News

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