Authorities set up checkpoints as election gun ban takes effect | ABS-CBN

Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
Authorities set up checkpoints as election gun ban takes effect
Authorities set up checkpoints as election gun ban takes effect
ABS-CBN News
Published Jan 09, 2022 08:18 AM PHT
|
Updated Jan 09, 2022 01:44 PM PHT

MANILA (UPDATE) — Authorities set up thousands of checkpoints across the country as a gun ban took effect Sunday, marking the start of the May 9, 2022 election period.
MANILA (UPDATE) — Authorities set up thousands of checkpoints across the country as a gun ban took effect Sunday, marking the start of the May 9, 2022 election period.
Nearly 2,000 checkpoints manned by over 14,000 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) were established to enforce the poll body's resolution prohibiting the carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons from Jan. 9 to June 8, 2022, said police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos.
Nearly 2,000 checkpoints manned by over 14,000 personnel of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Commission on Elections (Comelec) were established to enforce the poll body's resolution prohibiting the carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons from Jan. 9 to June 8, 2022, said police chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos.
Under the resolution, the PNP suspends all permits to carry issued to licensed firearm holders, juridical entities and members of government law enforcement agencies.
Under the resolution, the PNP suspends all permits to carry issued to licensed firearm holders, juridical entities and members of government law enforcement agencies.
Only members of the PNP, AFP and other law enforcement agencies on duty are allowed to carry firearms.
Only members of the PNP, AFP and other law enforcement agencies on duty are allowed to carry firearms.
ADVERTISEMENT
At the launch of the nationwide gun ban in Cainta, Rizal, Comelec Regional Director Maria Juana Valeza said the checkpoints were placed at random and limited to plain view.
At the launch of the nationwide gun ban in Cainta, Rizal, Comelec Regional Director Maria Juana Valeza said the checkpoints were placed at random and limited to plain view.
If there's no probable cause, citizens can refuse authorities who want to check the compartment of their vehicles.
If there's no probable cause, citizens can refuse authorities who want to check the compartment of their vehicles.
Those caught carrying unauthorized firearms may face jail time or be refused the right to suffrage, Valeza said.
Those caught carrying unauthorized firearms may face jail time or be refused the right to suffrage, Valeza said.
Police chief Carlos said he has yet to receive any report of "major incidents" during the first 6 hours of the gun ban.
Police chief Carlos said he has yet to receive any report of "major incidents" during the first 6 hours of the gun ban.
"Ibig sabihin po ay ang ating mga kababayan ay alam na magsasagawa tayo ng Comelec gun ban," he said.
"Ibig sabihin po ay ang ating mga kababayan ay alam na magsasagawa tayo ng Comelec gun ban," he said.
ADVERTISEMENT
(This means our people know that we're going to implement a Comelec gun ban.)
(This means our people know that we're going to implement a Comelec gun ban.)
Aside from the gun ban, uniformed personnel manning the checkpoints will also enforce COVID-19 health protocols, Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, director of the Calabarzon police.
Aside from the gun ban, uniformed personnel manning the checkpoints will also enforce COVID-19 health protocols, Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, director of the Calabarzon police.
Cruz appealed to the public for understanding should the checkpoints cause traffic.
Cruz appealed to the public for understanding should the checkpoints cause traffic.
At a checkpoint in the border of Pasay and Manila, authorities issued tickets to several motorists whose vehicles were unregistered as well as those with overcapacity, which violate COVID-19 protocols.
At a checkpoint in the border of Pasay and Manila, authorities issued tickets to several motorists whose vehicles were unregistered as well as those with overcapacity, which violate COVID-19 protocols.
— with reports from Anna Cerezo and Jaehwa Bernardo, ABS-CBN News
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT