Mayor Beng Climaco has instructed the local police and Task Force Zamboanga to provide equal security details and safety measures to all national elections candidates, regardless of party affiliations, who come to Zamboanga City for their campaign sorties.

Climaco issued the instruction during the first blended virtual and in-person joint meeting of the City Peace and Order Council (CPOC) and the City Anti-Drugs Abuse Council (CADAC) earlier this morning at City Hall Conference Room.

“Priority are the national candidates and their supporters joining rallies. Give everyone a fair and equal footing in terms of security,” the chief executive told the Zamboanga City Police Office (ZCPO) headed by Police Col. Alexander Lorenzo and Task Force Zamboanga commander Col. Randolph Roajas.

She said the same security measures should also be given to local candidates and their supporters attending their campaign activities.

She added that proper coordination should be made with the City Administrator’s Office and the respective focal persons of the police and TFZ.

The mayor was particularly referring to the scheduled arrival and caravan of the BBM-Sara Tandem on March 29, even as she commended the security measures given to the KakamPink People’s Rally of Vice President and presidential aspirant Leni Robredo and Senator Kiko Pangilinan last March 19 at Abong-Abong Freedom Park.

Likewise, Climaco observed that Zamboanga City, now under a relaxed Covid-19 restrictions of Alert Level 1, is receiving several visitors not just politicians but businessmen and civic groups for conventions. The recent was the Eagles Convention, and soon the Lions and Rotary Conventions.

“These should also be provided with ample security,” she told the police. “Please instruct your men on the ground to maintain a level of alertness and discipline on duty, not to be districted by the crowd.”

“Also, don’t forget that these men and women in uniform are also human beings that they need to eat. Let them do that also without losing sight of the reason why they are there on the ground,” the mayor further said. As this developed, the ZCPO has reported that 48 politicians from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) are currently frequenting Zamboanga City, and “they are under close monitoring for their safety and security.”-(Vic Larato)