MANILA, Philippines – Davao City police officers were ordered to wear civilian clothes with shades of red while providing security at a political rally led by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in Carmen, Davao del Norte, on Saturday, February 15, a directive that raised questions about the impartiality of the Philippine National Police.

The directive was for the deployment of 55 DCPO personnel to help secure the Alyansa para sa Bagong Pilipinas rally of Marcos-backed senatorial candidates. They were directed not to carry firearms, apparently to blend into the crowd.

The rally was part of the President’s nationwide efforts to galvanize support for his senatorial candidates. The memo’s instructions, particularly the call for police officers to wear a color associated with Marcos-led political campaigns, raised doubts about the apolitical nature of the operation.

The order, confirmed by Davao City Police Office (DCPO) acting director Colonel Hansel Marantan, was outlined in a February 14 memorandum from the PNP regional office, which later circulated on social media.

In a statement, Marantan confirmed the authenticity of the memo but called it a leaked “internal” document that was “unauthorized” for circulation. 

He did not offer an explanation for the directive to wear clothes with a “touch of red” or why officers were ordered to provide security without firearms, despite the risks at such a high-profile political gathering.

Marantan said the operation was part of standard security procedures to ensure the safety of the President, his delegation, and the public. 

The DCPO statement asserted that the DCPO remains “apolitical and non-partisan” and reaffirmed its commitment to serving all citizens without bias.

“We urge the public to refrain from spreading misinformation or speculation regarding this matter,” the statement read. “DCPO remains steadfast in its mission to serve and protect the people of Davao City with integrity, professionalism, and dedication.” – Rappler.com