Don’t use ‘selfie’ with me, cops in poll campaign: Albayalde

While noting that he humbly accepts requests from photo opportunities and random ‘selfies’ or ‘groupies’, the PNP chief said he understands that these captured images are strictly for personal purposes of posterity and goodwill. (PNA file photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Oscar Albayalde on Monday urged political parties and candidates to refrain from using his photos and videos as well as that of police officers in their campaign for the upcoming midterm elections.

“I disclaim the unwarranted use, if any, of my edited pictures in memes and social media messages and postings with political undertones and themes that suggest partisan predisposition upon my person and the office that I represent,” Albayalde told reporters in a press briefing.

Albayalde said such actions might create a wrong impression that the PNP is endorsing any candidate or party.

While noting that he humbly accepts requests from photo opportunities and random ‘selfies’ or ‘groupies’, the PNP chief said he understands that these captured images are strictly for personal purposes of posterity and goodwill.

“My social media engagements are exclusively through the official social media platforms administered by the PNP and on a limited extent, in my personal account for posterity and photo ops, and not meant to endorse a candidate or a political party. I therefore detach myself from any use of my pictures in non-PNP related correspondence, public announcements, advertisement or commercial and political endorsement,” he said.

Albayalde maintained that he and the entire national police agency remains apolitical and non-partisan.

“We strongly rather remain faithful to our apolitical and non-partisan character as a deputized law enforcement agency of the Commission on Elections.

Please spare the PNP from partisan political activity,” he stressed.