Comelec deputizes 1,082 Cordi PNP checkpoints

CAMP BADO DANGWA, La Trinidad, Benguet – No arrest was reported on the first night of checkpoints set up and manned by policemen and army personnel deputized by the Commission on Elections.
The Police Regional Office in the Cordillera attributed the “zero” arrest of violators to the massive information drive on the election gun ban launched January 10, 2016.

Chief Supt. Ulysses J. Abellera, Cordillera police director led synchronized operation of Comelec checkpoints  all over the Cordillera, stopping several motor vehicles in Baguio City where plate numbers were confiscated due to traffic violations.

Some 1,082 checkpoints were deputized by the Comelec with Abra having 301 checkpoints; Apayao – 61; Baguio – 157; Benguet – 116; Ifugao – 145; Kalinga – 159; Mountain Province – 85; and Regional Public Safety Battalion 58.

The Philippine National Police (PNP), Philippine Army (PA) and personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), other law enforcement agencies along with Comelec officials man these checkpoints to strictly implement the nationwide gun ban to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of national and local elections, according to the Public Information Office of PRO-COR based in Camp Dangwa. 

At the same time, the PNP will also enforce “Oplan Katok”, “Oplan Bakal”, and “Oplan Sita” to capture loose and illegal firearms within the election period.

According to rules being implemented by the Comelec through law enforcement agencies, no person shall bear or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places even if licensed, unless authorized in writing by the Comelec.

Henceforth, individuals who possess Comelec exemption cards can bring with them their licensed firearms, particularly deputized personnel of law enforcement agencies, provided that while in possession of their firearms, they must be in full uniform at all times while in the actual performance of their election duties in their assigned checkpoints.

In addition, all existing authority granting security personnel or body guards were revoked, except the regular security complement of the President, Vice President, Senators, Congressmen and Governors, all local elective officials except barangay officials, Justices, Judges, cabinet secretaries, the Comelec chairman and commissioners, the Chief of Staff of the AFP and PNP Major Service Commanders, Director Generals and Senior Officers of the PNP. 

PNP and AFP personnel and those from other law enforcement agencies who were earlier authorized to provide security to VIPs were recalled last January 9, 2016.

Through its information campaign, PNP heads assured the public that police personnel will stick by the Police Operational Procedures and that no human right violations will be committed while the nationwide gun ban is being implemented.

The PRO-COR leadership appealed to the public to cooperate with the police and other law enforcement agencies by providing relevant and timely information about unscrupulous activities and events through social media and by contacting Twitter-@PNPCordillera or Facebook Page- Pio Procor, or through the following numbers: Complaint Referral -094765880 / 09174297628; Regional Tactical Operation Center (074) 422-5515; 09175302679/ 09285591669.