Article by:
Teofilo Garcia, Jr.
ZAMBOANGA CITY – The Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) has started mapping out security plans to ensure the conduct of peaceful and orderly May 2022 national and local elections in this southern port city.
Col. Rexmel Reyes, ZCPO director, said Tuesday they have coordinated with the local Commission on Elections (Comelec) office and other law enforcement agencies for a synchronized election security plan.
The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) for local candidates started October 1 and will end on Friday, October 8.
So far, two of the four known mayoral aspirants along with their party-mates have filed their respective COCs on the first day of the submission of candidacy.
Reyes said he has already warned all ZCPO officers and men not to meddle or involve themselves in any political activities.
“Our loyalty remains with the Constitution and to the Filipino people and not to any candidate,” Reyes said.
He further said that the Philippine National Police (PNP) does not tolerate political partisanship and officers proven to have committed it will face administrative sanctions for grave misconduct, violation of election laws, and the code of conduct and ethical standards.
The ZCPO has jurisdiction over 11 police stations and two mobile force companies here.
Meanwhile, Reyes said they have temporarily suspended the permit to carry firearms outside of residence since the start of the filing of the COC period.
He said the gun ban will be strictly implemented until October 9.
He added that exempted to the imposition of the gun ban are policemen, soldiers, and other law enforcers “but they must be in uniform and on official duty.”
No gun ban violation was reported since the first day of the filing of COCs here. (PNA)
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