In preparation for the upcoming election period starting January 12, 2025, the Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOPPO) has announced plans to withdraw its officers currently serving as security details for government officials and private citizens. Lt. Stephen Polinar, the spokesperson for NOPPO, stated that less than 100 officers are currently assigned to protect the governor, mayors, other local officials, and select private individuals in the province.
Once the recall is implemented, individuals requiring security will need to obtain approval from the Commission on Elections (Comelec), which will be responsible for overseeing the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines during the election period. Polinar mentioned that NOPPO will coordinate with Comelec and senior PNP officials to discuss security arrangements for certain politicians and civilians who are witnesses in the ongoing murder trial of former governor Roel Degamo.
These individuals have been granted protection by the Police Security Protection Group. The trial for Degamo’s murder is still in progress, with witnesses needing to travel to the National Capital Region as mandated by the court. Polinar stressed that the PNP employs a validation process, involving the intelligence community, to evaluate threats and decide whether an individual is eligible for police security detail.