(Eagle News)–Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday, Jan. 3, said he has placed the Philippine National Police on “heightened alert” to “monitor the activities of all candidates” as the 2019 elections draw near.
Año made the statement as he said that what happened to Daraga, Albay Mayor Carlwyn Baldo should “serve as a stern warning against all politicians not to intimidate, harass, or do violence against their political opponents” in the polls.
Baldo and six others have been slapped with double murder and six counts of frustrated murder charges over the killing of Rep. Rodel Batocabe and his security escort, SP01 Orlando Diaz, and the injuries caused to several people.
The police have said Batocabe’s killing was politically motivated, noting that the assassination plot against him was hatched after he announced his plans to run for Daraga mayor in 2019.
According to Año, who hailed the police for a job well done, President Rodrigo Duterte himself gave the order for the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Philippine National Police to “run after” those resorting to “‘political terrorism’ like ordering the death of their opponents to ensure their hold on political power.”
He said the powers of local chief executives over their local police units will be revoked “should they abuse their authority or otherwise engage in violent activities as well as in the case of the mayor of Guimbal, Iloilo.”
Año was referring to Mayor Oscar Garin Sr., who, together with his son, Rep. Richard Garin, was accused of mauling a policeman.
The Garins have since been charged, and the mayor’s deputation authority over the local police revoked.
“The DILG-PNP is also committed to dismantl(ing) private armed groups of politicians as well as revoke the firearms licenses of those found to be violating the law,” Año said.