Commission on Elections checkpoints are up in Negros Occidental and Bacolod City to strictly implement the 150-day gun ban during the election period that began Sunday, January 9.
A drug suspect was intercepted and arrested by the police at a Comelec checkpoint at Crossing Luguay in Brgy. Hawaiian, Silay City, on Sunday.
Nabbed was Ryan Benetua of Hacienda Laguda in Brgy. 14, Victorias City. Three sachets of suspected shabu, and its paraphernalia, were recovered from Benetua, the police said.
Comelec Resolution 10741 was issued December 16 to effectively implement the firearms ban during the election period by establishing checkpoints, Provincial Election Officer Ian Lee Ananoria said.
There will l be at least one Comelec checkpoint in each town and city. However, additional checkpoints, including those coming from other Philippine National Police/Armed Forces of the Philippines commands outside the city and town shall be established in coordination with the election office having jurisdiction over the area, the resolution said.
A Comelec checkpoint must be well-lighted, properly identified and manned with uniformed personnel, the resolution said.
The team manning the checkpoint must require the motorists to slow down, dim the vehicle’s headlights and turn on the cabin lights. The occupants cannot be compelled to step out of a vehicle, the resolution said.
Only a visual search is required, it added.
No one may be subjected to physical or body search in the absence of any reasonable ground to believe that a person has just committed, is about to commit, or is committing a crime, the resolution said.
Brig. Gen. Inocencio Pasaporte, 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, said that all Army battalions have been ordered to jointly conduct intensified checkpoints, as part of their security measures to ensure a peaceful May 9 elections.
PLt. Abegael Donasco, deputy spokesperson of the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office, encouraged those who want to be exempted from the gun ban to apply for exemptions at the Comelec.
Anyone caught carrying a firearm will be charged with violating the Comelec resolution on the gunban as well as additional charges related to RA 10591 or the Comprehensive Law on Firearms, Donasco said.
Donasco said that NOCPPO recalled all police personnel who have been serving as police escorts to local politicians in accordance to the rules and regulations set by the Comelec.
PLt. Liberty Indiape, deputy BCPO spokesperson, also said that simultaneous checkpoints have been established in strategic areas of Bacolod City, in coordination with the Comelec.*