1,308 cops with relatives running in polls relieved, reassigned

MANILA, Philippines — Up to 1,308 police officers who have relatives running in the 2025 midterm elections were either relieved or transferred to other units, the Philippine National Police reported yesterday.

PNP public information officer Brig. Gen. Jean Fajardo said those who were reassigned were among the 1,586 police personnel who declared they have relatives up to the fourth degree of consanguinity seeking elective positions in 2025.

The relief orders for the 278 police personnel are being processed and will be released soon, according to Fajardo.

She said 180 of the police officers are assigned in the Cordilleras followed by Zamboanga Peninsula with 144 and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region, 122.

It is the policy of the PNP to reassign police officers who have relatives running for elective posts to ensure they remain non-partisan and prevent them from influencing the outcome of the elections.

Fajardo warned police personnel who have not declared they have relatives running in the elections that they could face administrative cases.