President Rodrigo Duterte urged candidates in the May 9 elections to “limit” the number of their armed bodyguards.

In a pre-recorded Talk to the People aired late Monday night, Duterte announced his interest in invoking the Alunan Doctrine that limits the number of a politician’s armed guards to two.

“I’ve communicated this to the Cabinet that ang rules should really be followed, ‘yung Alunan Doctrine nalang. Mas maganda ‘yun. That more than two bodyguards would be considered a private army,” Duterte said.

Duterte added that poll bets who are worried for their safety should instead relay their concerns to the relevant law enforcement authorities.

“Kung sino man ‘yung mga kandidato, you limit yourself and if you think there is danger to your person in a certain place or a certain person, ipatawag ng RD (Regional Director) ‘yan or ipatawag ng chief of police at kausapin na iwasan lang yung away lalo na gamit ng armas,” he added.

He warned that those who failed to follow the Alunan Doctrine could be arrested and prosecuted.

“I will arrest you and your bodyguards because I said that is…mabuti na ‘yan the [fewer] people with arms with you, the better,” he said.

The Alunan Doctrine was introduced by former Interior Secretary Rafael Alunan III and deems two or more armed guards as a private army that should be disarmed by the government.

He also reaffirmed his promise to ensure that the coming elections will be free from cheating and violence.

Meanwhile, Duterte reassured the public that he will remain “neutral” by choosing not to endorse any presidential candidate.

“We will remain neutral and will see to it that the true will of the people lalabas sa election na ‘to. Even though I have a party, pero nagdistansya muna ako,” he said.

Last March, Duterte’s political party, the Partido Demokratiko Pilipino–Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) Cusi wing, officially endorsed the presidential candidacy of former senator Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr.