No violators arrested on Day 1 of Comelec gun ban

Monday, January 10, 2022

Policemen man a checkpoint in Barangay Ungka, Jaro, Iloilo City. But the national highway is almost empty. Few people are going out. Many are heeding the advice of the city government not to go out unless the trip is essential, due to the rising cases of coronavirus disease 2019. RUBY SILUBRICO

ILOILO City – Day 1 (Jan. 9) of the Commission on Elections (Comelec) gun ban in relation to the election period – which also commenced that day – was uneventful throughout Western Visayas. The police spotted no gun ban violator.

Effective 12:01 a.m. of Jan. 9, Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) director Police Brigadier General Flynn Dongbo ordered his personnel across the region to conduct checkpoints.

“Wala pa tayong na-arrest na nagdadala ng armas or any deadly weapon. We are again calling the attention of gun holders na huwag magdala ng armas unless may certificate of exemption kayo from the Comelec,” Dongbo said.

He also said the police may give exemption to butchers that use knives in their work.

“We hope walang mahuli na violators. Kahit pulis kung hindi naka-uniform pwede natin mahuli unless may certification s’ya from Comelec,” said Dongbo.

The conduct of checkpoints is in line with Comelec Resolution No. 10741 setting the guidelines for such.

There shall be at least one Comelec checkpoint in each city or municipality.

SPOT INSPECTION. Policemen stop taxis for an inspection at a checkpoint in Iloilo City. The police commenced checkpoint operations on Sunday, Jan. 9, the start of the election period. Under the guidelines issued by the Commission on Elections, the police team manning a checkpoint must require the motorists to slow down, as well as courteously request to dim the vehicle headlights and turn on cabin lights. Only visual search is required – the officer simply looks into the vehicle and flashes a light without opening the car doors. RUBY SILUBRICO/PN

Additional checkpoints of the Philippine National Police (PNP) or Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) may be established in coordination with the Election Officer (EO) having jurisdiction over the city or municipality.

Any unit designated to man a Comelec checkpoint must be led by a regular member of the AFP or the PNP with a rank of at least Lieutenant or Police Lieutenant.

In the absence of these ranks, the highest ranking officer shall make a special designation of a lower ranking officer or non-commissioned officer to act as a commanding officer or team leader of the checkpoint

An adequate number, according to the Comelec, of AFP and PNP personnel shall man checkpoints and must be in complete service uniform with the name plates and other identification tags clearly visible and readable. They shall not be under the influence of alcohol or illegal drugs.

Upon approach to any Comelec checkpoint, the team manning it must require the motorists to slow down, as well as courteously request to dim the vehicle headlights and turn on cabin lights.

In a checkpoint inquiry, the occupants cannot be compelled to step out of the vehicle, it added.

On the other hand, Dongbo tolds his police manning the checkpoint that they have to observe “plain view doctrine,” unless a certain vehicle is involved in a crime./PN