LINGAYEN–Senior Superintendent Percival Barba, the police provincial director, is writing and sending out letters again.

This time, not to suspected cattle rustlers or unlicensed gun owners, but to local candidates in the 2010 elections. He wants them to submit the names of their personal bodyguards and drivers — with their corresponding bio data and photo — for background investigation.

Barba’s move is prompted by past incidents wherein elected government officials denied knowledge of their bodyguard’s illegal or criminal activities when confronted with information.

Many personal bodyguards of politicians have also been reported to be abusive in the past.

With the background check provided them, Barba said, politicians would have no excuse about not knowing the criminal record of the bodyguards they hire.

Barba is confident the candidates will cooperate and list their bodyguards for their own protection.

However, if a candidate fails to respond to his letter, the police will still carry out an investigation on their bodyguards through their intelligence network.

“Kung di ka nag-submit, ibig sabihin di ka cooperative sa amin o may balak ka,” he added.

Meanwhile, Barba said he has also invited lawyer Reddy Balarbar, provincial election officer of Pangasinan, to discuss their roles and duties for the May 2010 election.#

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