TWO escorts of Sen. Ronald “Bato” dela Rosa were recalled by the PNP in January this year based on a resolution of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) related to the availment of security personnel, police spokesperson Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said yesterday.
In a press briefing, Fajardo said the senator, who is a former PNP chief, still has four policemen securing him.
“It’s not true that we recalled his security escorts only recently,” Fajardo said, clarifying an earlier statement of Dela Rosa that his police security escorts in Davao City were recently recalled by the PNP and asked to report to their mother unit.
Dela Rosa on Tuesday said he was surprised to find out last Monday that his security escorts in Davao City have been recalled. He said that he has two separate security teams — one in Metro Manila and another in Davao City, and the ones in Davao City were the ones who were pulled out.
“If he {Dela Rosa) was referring to the security escorts assigned with the Regional Police Security Protection Unit in Region 11 (Davao region), they were recalled last January 13,” Fajardo said.
Fajardo said the recall of the two security personnel was pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 11067 which provides the guidelines on the election gun ban, establishment of Comelec checkpoints, and availment of security personnel during the election period, which started on Januay 12 and run until June 11.
Section 34, Rule XIII of the resolution states that an incumbent public official, whether elected or appointed, may avail or engage the services of not more than two security details from the AFP, PNP and other law enforcement agencies.
On the other hand, Section 35 provides that “when the circumstances warrant, the persons mentioned in the immediately preceding section, may apply… for two (2)additional security personnel or bodyguards, or such additional number of security personnel or bodyguards.”
Fajardo said only two protective security personnel are assigned to candidates, but the number can be increased depending on the threat assessment and decision of the Comelec.
She said four security personnel from the Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) are assigned Dela Rosa.
“There were four who were given the authority by the Comelec (to secure him),” she said.
Fajardo said the four policemen are covered by a Certificate of Authority (CA) or exemption from the Comelec which is good until June 11, 2025.
She added the two policemen who were recalled did not have a CA or exemption from the poll body.
Comelec chairman George Garcia said the poll body did not get any report from the PNP about the recall of Dela Rosa’s security escorts.
“All movements of the PNP personnel are covered by the prohibition. They need to ask permission from the Comelec to transfer their personnel,” Garcia said.
“In case they indeed removed the police escorts, they will need to inform the Comelec on this matter. And we have not receive any reports so far,” he said.
Under the Omnibus Election Code, it is prohibited for any public official to make or cause any transfer or detail any officer or employee in the civil service within the election period except upon prior approval of the Comelec.
Garcia said Dela Rosa is qualified to employ security personnel or bodyguards being an incumbent senator.
“As far as the Comelec is concerned, senators as well as incumbent senators seeking re-election are included in our list of those qualified to have security details,” said Garcia. – With Gerard Naval
Under Republic Act No. 7166, incumbent public officers seeking election to any public office may avail of or engage the services of security personnel or bodyguards once authorized in writing by the Comelec.
