Security force accused of assuming political role

The contentious issue of Panama’s border patrol agency Senafront has raised a red flag for the Citizens Alliance for Justice.

The group has expressed its concern about the extension of powers being granted to the the agency and has written to Minister of the Presidency Roberto Henríquez.
Earlier in the month the appearance of heavily armed members of the front in an independence parade featuring school children caused a public row between Education Minister Lucy Molinar and Justice Minister Raoul Mulino, and produced strongly worded comments from community leaders about the return of militarism.
In its letter to Henriquez, the organization maintains that it received an invitation to the forum "Opening roads toward the consolidation of the Darién and the comarcas in the 21st century." The invitation was signed by Dayra Dawson Villalobos, executive director of the Darién Development Program (Prodar) and by Senafront Commissioner Frank Abrego.
 According to the alliance, says La Prensa, it is clear that the forum is being organized to determine social policies that define goals, objectives, strategies of governance.
 "What seems worrisome is that the public announcement bears the signature of the commissioner, as if he were a political actor in the government, with a level of significance greater than the governor of the province," the alliance said.
 It further noted that the constitution specifically prevents security agencies from engaging in political debates or intervening in party politics. The punishment is immediate dismissal.
 "We can understand that, as a security entity, they can attend the forum, but it is not correct to assume a role of organizing an event that determines social or political policies," the alliance said.
 Commissioner Abrego has not responded to calls for comment says La Prensa
Security force accused of assuming political role
The contentious issue of Panama’s border patrol agency Senafront has raised a red flag for the Citizens Alliance for Justice.
The group has expressed its concern about the extension of powers being granted to the the agency and has written to Minister of the Presidency Roberto Henrí¬quez
Earlier in the month the appearance of heavily armed members of the front in an independence parade featuring school children caused a public row between Education Minister Lucy Molinar and Justice Minister Raoul Mulino, and produced strongly worded comments from community leaders about the return of militarism.
In its letter to Henriquez, the organization maintains that it received an invitation to the forum "Opening roads toward the consolidation of the Darién and the comarcas in the 21st century." The invitation was signed by Dayra Dawson Villalobos, executive director of the Darién Development Program (Prodar) and by Senafront Commissioner Frank Abrego.
 According to the alliance, saya La Prensa, it is clear that the forum is being organized to determine social policies that define goals, objectives, strategies of governance.
 "What seems worrisome is that the public announcement bears the signature of the commissioner, as if he were a political actor in the government, with a level of significance greater than the governor of the province," the alliance said.
 It further noted that the constitution specifically prevents security agencies from engaging in political debates or intervening in party politics. The punishment is immediate dismissal.
 "We can understand that, as a security entity, they can attend the forum, but it is not correct to assume a role of organizing an event that determines social or political policies," the alliance said.
 Commissioner Abrego has not responded to calls for comment says La Prensa