ILOILO CITY – Authorities have started training the first batch of private security agents who will serve as bodyguards to local candidates during their campaign for tghe May 10 elections.

The regional police office in Western Visayas 29 PNP-accredited agents are underoing a 10-day VIP protection course at Camp Martin Delgado in Iloilo City.

The private security agents are being trained on the basic of VIP security and protection, marksmanship and intelligence gathering.

Superintendent Ranulfo Demiar, Western Visayas regional police spokesman, said only those who have undergone the training will be allowed to serve as private protection agents during the election period.

Demiar said untrained bodyguards will be considered as members of partisan armed groups or private armies.

The regional police spokesman said the number of candidates requesting for private security guards have doubled since the implementation of the election ban on police escorts.