PNP recalls police escorts of politicians/ DFA booboo

BEHIND THE SCENES

Alfred P. Dizon

Political candidates and private individuals who wish to have the service of police escorts or security should lodge a request from the Commission on Election ahead of the midterm polls in May.

The Philippine National Police’s Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) has recalled all security details of political candidates and private individuals across the country ahead of the midterm polls in May.

The order was in accordance with Comelec Resolution 10429 and 10446 which imposed a nationwide gun ban and prohibition of police details across the country.

Escort requests made to Comelec are subject to screening and verification if the applicant is indeed in need of such service.

Among the factors that the Comelec considers in approving such request is whether the applicant is facing imminent threat on his/her life.

Slain congressman, Rodel Batocabe’s police escort was also killed when the lawmaker was assassinated.

Since then, PSPG Director Chief Supt. Filmore Escobal said the number of applications increased especially from individuals in Bicol.

Overall, the agency has a total of 457 police escorts across the country.

Each individual, whether a politician or a private citizen, can be entitled to at least two police escorts.

“In cases of high-risk individuals, they may be allowed to apply for another additional security but they have to apply it to Comelec,” Escobal explained.

At present, the PSPG has a total of 51 applications for police security.

Among the already approved applications are that of reelectionist Mayor Reynaldo Tianco, Congressman Toby Tiangco and former Special Assistant to the President, senatorial aspirant Bong Go.

Applications still pending at PSPG include that of Franklin Drilon; Koko Pimentel; Imee Marcos; Ronald dela Rosa and Francis Tolentino.

All police escorts will only be of service until the end of the election period in June.

After that, individuals need to re-apply depending on the level of threats to their safety.

Meanwhile, certain government officials are given the privilege to have their respective police escorts during the course of their terms in office.

They are the president, the vice president, the chief justice, the Senate president, the House Speaker, and the commissioners of the Comelec among others.

Meanwhile, coinciding with the start of the official election period is the effectivity of the gun ban.

Individuals who wish to carry their firearms on the duration of the gun ban should apply for an exemption so as not to be held liable under the law. 

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Malacañang on Monday assured that the National Privacy Commission has already been ordered to investigate the recent passport data breach at the Department of Foreign Affairs which the Palace considered as a “serious and grave matter”.

The incident, disclosed by Foreign Affairs Secretary Teddy Boy Locsin himself, stemmed when a previous contractor got disappointed that its contract was terminated and left with all passport applicants’ data.

Presidential Spokesperson Salvador Panelo in a statement on Monday said the NPC has been directed also “to ascertain whether certain provisions of Republic Act No. 10173, otherwise known as the Data Privacy Act of 2012, have been violated, particularly with respect to the personal information of the data subjects.”

Panelo explained that applicants “should not be burdened” by submitting original copies of their birth certificates and the submission of the old or current passport should be enough requirement to renew their passports.

“The ongoing practice is not only cumbersome to everyone affected but is a form of red tape which this administration frowns upon and will not tolerate,” Panelo said.

“The investigation should not, however, end here since the current arrangement for the printing of passports should also be examined to determine if there are violations of pertinent laws which may be detrimental to the public,” he added.

In a tweet on Jan. 13, Locsin assured that there is “no leak so far” of the passport holders’ data. “But the data is possibly hopelessly corrupted and at any rate inaccessible now or we are being lied to as usual,” he said.

In another tweet, Locsin said he will definitely identify those behind the mess which he considers a prelude to “social media campaign against” him by his detractors.