President Rodrigo Duterte invokes the “Alunan doctrine” and has ordered the number of armed bodyguards of political candidates for the May 9, 2022 elections to be limited to two – more than that, he said, would be considered a private army and would be disarmed.

In his regular interview with the people late Monday evening, Duterte, 77, outgoing, urged all candidates to follow the Alunan doctrine which limits the number of armed guards a politician has to two.

The Alunan Doctrine was introduced by then Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III, who served during Fidel Ramos’ presidency from 1992 to 1998.

Having more than two bodyguards is considered a private army that should be disarmed by the government, Duterte said.

“To these candidates, you limit yourself [to two bodyguards]and if you think there is a danger to your person in a certain place or a certain person, call the regional director of the PNP or the chief of police and talk to them to avoid any violence,” Duterte said.

“We decided. I communicated this with the Cabinet that the rules really should be followed and the Alunan doctrine is better,” the president said in his recorded public address.

He urged candidates to seek help from the Electoral Commission or the police and military when their safety might be at risk.

Duterte told law enforcement to strictly enforce it, as he warned that those who violated the regulations would be arrested and prosecuted.

“I’m going to arrest you and your bodyguards because I said the fewer armed people with you the better,” he said.
The president reiterated his promise to ensure that the elections are free from cheating and violence.