PNP to keep policy of two bodyguards for local officials, VIPs

The elections may be over, but the Philippine National Police (PNP) will maintain its policy of allowing only up to two bodyguards for local officials and other VIPs. This was announced by PNP chief Director General Jesus Verzosa, citing a recent survey indicating majority of Filipinos expressed preference for this setup. "Majority of the Filipino people, who are the real bosses of the PNP, have spoken their preference on the issue (police security) at hand," Verzosa said in an article posted Wednesday on the PNP website. He was referring to a survey done by the Asia-Pacific Center for Research (ACRE) between May and June. The survey aimed to provide the PNP with data on how its personnel and services impact on the people and the community it serves. Citing results of the survey, he said 83.6 percent of Filipinos agree to the PNP election security measure that limits to security detail provided to candidates and politicians to two policemen. A similar 83.5 percent also support another measure, which strictly orders the police security details to always wear proper and complete uniform whenever they are on duty. Verzosa directed Police Security and Protection Group (PSPG) head Chief Superintendent Lina Sarmiento to institute appropriate guidelines that would address issues and concerns after the elections to ensure smoother implementation. 'Sound management policy' On the other hand, Verzosa also said the PNP leadership decided to institutionalize the measure because it is "sound management policy" both in terms of administrative and operational aspects of policing. He added this and the wearing of proper uniform prevented misencounters and shootouts by different police elements securing rival candidates. Both policies also rationalized the use, distribution, and deployment of police personnel by freeing more personnel to provide needed police services in more areas. For the study, ACRE used a population sample of 4,400 respondent-households covering all regions, all provinces and a statistical sample of cities and municipalities. Of the total number of respondents, 50 percent are male and the other 50 percent are female whose ages range from 16 to 60 years old and up. ACRE said 10 percent of those surveyed belong to AB and C socio-economic class, while 70 percent fall under the D socio-economic class, and the rest, or 20 percent are in the E class. 'Not surprising' Meanwhile, the PNP said seven out of 10 Filipinos or 70.72 percent expressed approval or satisfaction with the overall performance of the PNP. It said the same survey results also showed that an equal number or 70.31 percent gave their thumbs up or were satisfied with the performance of Verzosa. "This figure represents an increase of satisfied Filipinos to Verzosa’s performance as compared to the result of a similar survey last year where he got the nod of 68.53 percent of Filipinos," the PNP said. It added that the 70.72 percent figure represents a slight increase in the overall performance rating as compared to 69.52 percent that the PNP had gotten during a similar survey last year. Verzosa said this is "not anymore surprising," attributing it to the continuing process of transformation in the PNP organization. "I am happy and satisfied with the high approval rating of the PNP, although this (high rating) is not anymore surprising for me or even for the PNP organization. This only shows that the gains of the various transformation programs and initiatives that we have been doing in the PNP are already taking roots," Verzosa said. — RJAB Jr./RSJ, GMANews.TV