The Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) on Sunday, Jan. 12, launched checkpoint operations and the implementation of the gun ban to signal the start of the election period for the May 12 national and local elections.
BCPO Director Col. Joeresty Coronica and City Election Officer Revo Sorbito led the simultaneous launch at the Banago Road-Bata Flyover in the northern part of the city.
“These checkpoints are vital in ensuring strict adherence to the gun ban,” Coronica said.
He emphasized the need to prevent election-related violence, uphold the rule of law, and safeguard public peace and order throughout the election period.
The Comelec checkpoints are set up in more than 10 strategic points across the city.
These are operated by Police Stations 1 to 10, as well as of the Bacolod City Mobile Force Company (BCMFC).
The BCMFC is assigned in the three borders of the city, which are located in Barangay Mansilingan at the boundary with Murcia town in the east; Barangay Sum-ag, with Bago City in the south; and Barangay Mandalagan, with Talisay City in the north.
In a statement, the BCPO said that through the checkpoint operations, illegal activities can be deterred, particularly those involving firearms.*PNA