PRO 3 chief Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay inspects firearms confiscated or surrendered in various operations in Nueva Ecija. Photo by Armand Galang
CABANATUAN CITY – Police officers should be neutral while keeping peace and order in connection with the forthcoming elections, the Central Luzon police chief said here on Tuesday.
Police Regional Office 3 director Brig. Gen. Matthew Baccay said having preference for a certain candidate will result to trouble.
“If there is preference to a candidate over the other, diyan mag-uumpisa ang away,” Baccay said in a press briefing after the blessing of the Kapanalig stage and awarding to personnel with distinct accomplishments at the Nueva Ecija police office gym here.
NEPPO director Col. Rhoderick Campo also presented to Baccay a total of 173 assorted firearms that were either confiscated in various law enforcement operations or voluntarily surrendered by owners under Oplan Katok.
Baccay likewise urged political camps and supporters to follow rules and regulations at all times.
He said taking illegal firearms from the hands of unauthorized people, especially criminal groups, will pave the way for orderly and honest elections. He urged police units to further intensify the campaign against loose firearms.
In a talk with police chiefs, Baccay emphasized police’s two main functions which include crime prevention and crime solution. These also include the continuous aggressive operations against illegal drugs, he stressed.
Nueva Ecija, he said, tops the provinces in Central Luzon that so far has “pressing issues” in connection with the 2022 national and local elections.
