Manila: The Philippine National Police (PNP) has clarified that the ban and removal of political signage are confined strictly to the premises of its own facilities.

According to Philippines News Agency, the PNP chief Gen. Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. emphasized that the directive applies specifically to materials displayed within PNP properties, including police stations, camps, offices, and other PNP facilities nationwide. This move adheres to the Department of the Interior and Local Government's (DILG) Memorandum Circular No. 2026-006, reinforced by a PNP memorandum issued on February 2.

Both memorandums instruct units to remove any signages, tarpaulins, markers, posters, and similar materials that feature the name, image, initials, color motif, slogan, or identifying symbols of public officials, particularly those associated with government-funded projects, programs, and activities. Nartatez reiterated that the directive's purpose is to maintain political neutrality and professionalism, ensuring that public service remains free from personal or partisan promotion.

Nartatez further stated that the PNP will not tolerate any form of self-promotion using government resources. He emphasized the non-optional nature of this directive, underlining that using government property to highlight a personality violates the principle that public office is a public trust. He instructed the immediate removal of such materials without excuses.

The PNP chief urged units to inspect their respective areas and promptly remove any prohibited materials. This follows the DILG's earlier mandate for the strict nationwide enforcement of the anti-epal policy, which instructs local government units and DILG offices to eliminate the names, images, and likenesses of public officials from all government-funded projects, programs, activities, and properties.