MANILA, Philippines -- The Philippine National Police (PNP) has urged all its units to implement the correct procedures when conducting checkpoints.

PNP Spokesperson Chief Supt. Generoso Cerbo said checkpoints should be preceded by the necessary signages, complete with the unit and names of the police officers in charge, to ensure the checkpoints are legitimately led and managed.

An officially marked mobile vehicle should also be on hand.

He added checkpoint operations by properly-attired officers should be limited to visual checks.

The instructions come just hours before the nationwide gun ban takes effect to kick off the 120-day election period for the 2013 midterm elections, and days after a controversial police operations in Atimonan, Quezon.

ANC Headlines, January 12, 2013.