Central Visayas Cop Chief Leads Oath, Signing Of Non-partisanship Covenant

Chief Superintendent Patrocinio Comendador Jr., Police Regional Ofifce (PRO) 7 director, led his in taking oath Monday that they are not siding with any candidate in the May 9 national and local elections.

Comendador also led his staff in signing the covenant of non-partisanship.

“We will make sure the elections will be fair and secure),” Comendador said.

Comendador said the Philippine National Police (PNP) started taking the oath of non-partisanship program last week with provincial and city police directors.

“We would like to emphasize that the police cannot make the candidate win the election, they are the ones who can do it. The police do not start trouble,” he said.

Comendador said the police will not tolerate politicians who committed violations.

“I am giving a fair warning to all parties that we will not hesitate to arrest and file charges against those candidates who violate the election laws,” he said.

Comendador said the oath of non-partisanship activity is not a reaction to lawyer Pablo John Garcia, who asked the police not to be used by the administration, which he believed happened in 2013 elections.

Garcia is One Cebu’s congressional candidate for the new seventh district.

“This came first. This is a nationwide program,” said Comendador.

“The police is committed to be neutral, to be non-partisan in this election. Biases or partiality is a subjective thing, it is a perception that depends on where you are standing,” Comendador said. (PNA) FFC/EB/EBP