DCPO: Nothing unusual about cops in civvies

The Davao City Police Office (DCPO) defended the deployment of police personnel at a campaign rally for President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.’s senatorial candidates, calling it a “standard security measure.”

DCPO Acting Director Col. Hansel Marantan clarified that the deployment was aimed solely at ensuring the safety of the President, the event venue, and the public.

“The DCPO remains an apolitical and non-partisan organization committed solely to ensuring public safety and security,” Marantan said, lamenting the unauthorized circulation of an internal memorandum on social media.

The memorandum, which surfaced online, instructed police officers to wear civilian clothes “with a touch of red (without firearms).”

Marantan explained that it was issued in response to a request from the Police Regional Office 11 for 55 PNP personnel from the DCPO to augment the Presidential Security Command as inner security during the President’s scheduled visit.

“DCPO upholds its duty to protect all citizens, regardless of political affiliations, and remains neutral and professional in all its operations,” he stressed. He also urged the public to refrain from spreading misinformation or speculation regarding the memo.

Atty. Israelito Torreon, legal counsel for embattled Kingdom of Jesus Christ leader Apollo Quiboloy, posted a copy of the memorandum on social media on Saturday.

“How unfortunate for our police brothers and sisters. They were made into rallyists by BBM just to have people attend their rally,” Torreon wrote, questioning the need for police personnel to wear civilian clothes and blend with the crowd.