THE Philippine National Police (PNP) is closely monitoring politicians who may possibly get the services of private armed groups for the upcoming national elections next year.
PNP Chief PGen. Dionardo Carlos said he has already instructed regional directors to guard the movements of private armed groups in their respective areas.
He said the regional directors will conduct an assessment of areas that experienced incidents of violence in past elections and those areas with heated political wars.
Carlos appealed to politicians not to engage the services of private armed groups to scare off voters and their political rivals.
He said appropriate charges will be filed against politicians once they get enough evidence.
The PNP earlier said that they closely monitoring at least six private armed groups and 138 groups that can potentially become private armed groups.
Areas believed where private armed groups are present include the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) and Region 2 or Cagayan Valley.