Members of the Philippine National Police (PNP) and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) have been warned against "moonlighting" or providing private security to election candidates as the 2025 midterm polls approach.
PNP Chief General Rommel Francisco Marbil emphasized that police officers are "strictly not allowed" to provide private security to candidates running in the 2025 elections.
"We are very strict about that. That’s what we need, we are very strict with our people that are moonlighting and having private duties," Marbil said.
He noted that the PNP has provided security personnel to qualified candidates during past elections, with a maximum of two police escorts permitted per candidate, provided they meet the necessary requirements.
Hence, Marbil said he still needs to coordinate with Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairperson George Erwin Garcia to finalize policies for providing security details to election candidates for the upcoming 2025 midterm polls.
"But right now we are looking at the low-threat and medium-threat, so I need to discuss with the chairman what will be our policy on this, but again, we’re very strict against that moonlighting, we make sure that they will be discharged," Marbil emphasized.
He warned that police personnel found to be moonlighting will be discharged, including those coddling them in police stations will face charges.
Marbil assured the public that moonlighting among police officers "will never happen again."
Marbil noted the PNP will "not tolerate any officer who compromises commitment to neutrality and fairness."
For his part, AFP Chief General Romeo Brawner Jr. reminded military personnel, particularly members of the Citizen Armed Force Geographical Unit (CAFGU), to avoid moonlighting during elections.
“In the past elections, we didn’t have any problem with our active AFP members moonlighting. Almost none. They are not moonlighting. But what we are monitoring is our CAFGUs,” Brawner said.
CAFGU members, composed of qualified reservists residing in localities, are called for active duties in the military. This irregular auxiliary force supports operations alongside regular soldiers of the AFP.
Brawner is not dismissing the idea that CAFGU might do moonlighting due to the nature of their military duties.
"Because of the nature of the duty of these CAFGU members—they would have military duties every 15 days of the month while the other 15 days will be allotted to their normal jobs—so that's what we are looking at," Brawner said.
He said commanders on the ground will keep an eye on the activities of CAFGUs during elections.
Brawner said active AFP members are prohibited from providing escort services to election candidates.
"We are reminding our commanders on the ground to monitor very closely to this kind of incident—if there’s anyone would moonlight or provide security to candidates during elections, even if he is not on duty—this is not allowed," he added.
Brawner warned that moonlighting could become grounds for the discharge of military personnel while CAFGUs found violating regulations may be removed from the auxiliary service.
Meanwhile, Comelec Commissioner-in-Charge of Gun Ban and Security Concerns Aimee Ferolino highlighted that all security details, unless exempted, are prohibited from carrying firearms during the election period.
Ferolino said candidates with private security details may apply for a gun ban exemption, provided they meet the requirements set by the Comelec.
“So far, we only approved two security details per candidate based on our resolution,” she said, noting that some security details of senators and other local bets have already applied for firearm exemptions.
“Some were approved. We have given them a certificate of exemption. All names of security for candidates and their firearms were already listed,” she noted.
Ferolino explained that a certificate of exemption along with the list from the Comelec, detailing the type of firearms and gun holders, must always be presented during checkpoints.