The Police Regional Office-Davao (PRO-11) has shed light on the memorandum that leaked on social media requiring police officers from Davao City to wear red during the political rally led by President Ferdinand Marcos, Jr. in Carmen, Davao del Norte on Saturday, February 15, 2025.

In the memorandum, PRO-11 directed the Davao City Police Office (DCPO) to deploy 55 personnel who will serve as inner security during the presidential visit, all of whom will be under the command of the Presidential Security Group (PSG).

PRO-11 explained that the wearing of red attire was part of the deployment protocol to indicate that they are part of the inner security requested by the PSG.

PRO-11 added that the PNP organization remains non-partisan.

DCPO confirmed that the memorandum was authentic but it was supposed to be internal and should not have been circulated online.

DCPO explained that the deployment was to ensure the safety of the President and the public.

“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,” DCPO Director, Col. Hansel Marantan, said in a statement.

In a report by GMA News Online, 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.

POLITICAL MOVE?

Senator Ronald 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 otherwise.

“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.)

(With reports from GMA News Online)