The Philippine National Police (PNP) has reminded its personnel to stay out of political debates and refrain from publicly expressing partisan views, as political tensions and online discussions continue to intensify nationwide.
PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. said police officers, including those maintaining social media accounts and online platforms, must uphold neutrality and professionalism at all times, stressing that law enforcement personnel are expected to focus on public safety rather than political issues.
“We have no business involving ourselves in politics. We do not have that privilege, that is not part of our mandate,” Nartatez said. “Let us focus on what we are trained for and what the Filipino people expect us to do: Enforce the law and maintain peace and order.”
The directive follows calls from President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. and Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla for government personnel to remain professional amid heightened political developments and public exchanges among political figures.
Nartatez noted that ongoing political disputes have placed law enforcement agencies under closer public scrutiny, making it even more important for officers to exercise restraint, particularly on social media.
While acknowledging that individuals may hold personal beliefs and opinions, the PNP chief said police officers carry the responsibility of protecting the institution’s credibility and must avoid actions that could be interpreted as political advocacy.
“Doing so drags the entire organization into these issues,” he said.
The PNP also echoed earlier warnings from the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Center (CICC) regarding the spread of misinformation and unverified content online.
Authorities urged the public to be cautious when consuming and sharing information on social media, warning that false or misleading content could further inflame tensions and contribute to public confusion during a period of heightened political activity.
The PNP said maintaining public trust requires both law enforcers and citizens to act responsibly online and remain focused on facts rather than partisan narratives.
