PNP to punish cops who join ‘Oplan Baklas’ vs. Robredo

The leadership of the Philippine National Police (PNP) has warned members who will remove candidates’ posters even with “Oplan Baklas” against allegedly “illegal” election materials – because they are not authorized to do so.

In the video posted Wednesday, police can be seen dismantling the tarpaulins of 2022 presidential candidate Vice President Leni Robredo in Santiago, Isabela-even. However, the place and headquarters are privately owned.

ADVERTISEMENT

“This report has reached Camp Crame… Any PNP personnel should not be involved in removing these campaign materials,” said PNP spokesperson PCol. Jean Fajardo in an interview with ONE News.

“[These] incidents [are] now being investigated and validated and rest assured that those PNP personnel found violating existing protocols will be reprimanded if not penalized for their actions.”

Yesterday, the Commission on Elections (Comelec) started “Operation Baklas” to remove election materials posted in areas not permitted by law. In Metro Manila, it rolled into Pasay, Makati, Mandaluyong, Quezon City, Pasig and Caloocan.

ADVERTISEMENT

Authorities removed posters in non-common poster areas and those that were oversized.

“While it is deemed illegal for violation of existing Comelec guidelines… PNP personnel should be limited in providing security while Comelec and other government agencies like [Department of Public Works and Highways] and [Department of Environment and Natural Resources] are removing these campaign materials,” said Fajardo.

PNP to punish cops who join ‘Oplan Baklas’ vs. Robredo

According to 2022 senatorial candidate Chel Diokno, a human rights lawyer running under Robredo’s ticket, it is against the 1987 Constitution for the PNP and Comelec to remove campaign materials in private areas without the owner’s permission and a search warrant.

ADVERTISEMENT

“Unang una, walang kapangyarihan ang COMELEC at PNP na mambaklas ng mga poster at tarp—kahit anong laki niya—na nasa private property at hindi inilagay ng kandidato o partidong politikal,” Diokno said in a Facebook post.

“Pangalawa, hindi pwedeng mambaklas ang COMELEC at PNP ng mga poster o tarp sa private property kung wala munang prior NOTICE at HEARING.”

In addition, the Comelec and PNP cannot enter the house, office, or any private property without a search warrant from the judge without permission or consent.

Robredo’s spokesperson Barry Gutierrez had earlier said that only election materials produced by candidates or parties could be removed under Comelec Resolution 10730.

Visit our Facebook page for more  updates.