PNP places checkpoints to run after gun ban violators
Police checkpoints will now be a common sight among commuters in the advent of the implementation of the total gun ban.
Both the Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) and the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) said that they have placed checkpoints in strategic areas in the city and province of Iloilo.
“These checkpoints will be manned by policemen in complete uniform and with signage,” said ICPO director Senior Supt. Melvin Mongcal.
On the other hand, IPPO chief Senior Supt. Renato Gumban said that they have placed a number of checkpoints all over the province since 9 a.m. yesterday.
Following reports of the presence of partisan armed groups in the province’s five municipalities, Gumban said that they will double their efforts on those areas.
“Sa mga lugar nga may partisan armed groups, amo ni ang mga banwa, doblehon ta ang checkpoints para ma check gid,” he added.
Earlier, IPPO identified 16 areas under election watchlist of areas of concern.
Elections hotspots that are regarded as Category 1 are Anilao, Dueñas, Estancia, Maasin, Passi City, San Enrique, and Tigbauan.
Category 2 areas are Bingawan, Calinog, Guimbal, Igbaras, Lambunao, Leon, Miag-ao, Tubungan, and San Joaquin.
An area is considered Category 1 if it has high possibility of election-related violent incidents (ERVI) while those at Category 2 area areas with history of ERVIs, intense political rivalries and active movement of armed rebels.
To note, the gun ban has been implemented to prevent violence during election period, which runs from January 10, 2010 to June 9, 2010.
About 3,500 checkpoints have been set up nationwide.
Under Comelec Resolution 8714 issued last December 17, 2009, all persons are banned from carrying firearms and deadly weapons in public places including public buildings, streets, parks and private vehicles during the gun ban period.
Only law enforcers in proper uniform are the ones authorized by law and the Commission on Elections.
In gun ban, only regular plantilla members of PNP/AFP and other law enforcers (who are receiving regular compensation for services rendered) are authorized to bear/carry/transport firearms or other deadly weapons, in prescribed uniform showing clearly and legibly his name/rank/serial number, in case rank and serial numbers are inapplicable, his agency identification card showing clearly his name and position (which ID card shall remain visible at all times), with valid mission/letter order and in actual performance of election/official duty or going to and returning from his residence or station.
Further, the COMELEC resolution also covered air guns and air rifles.
Aside from regular firearms and deadly weapons, also covered by the ban are air guns and replications, as well as bladed instruments, hand grenades, and other explosives except for fireworks.
Salient points
During the said period, all previously-issued permits to carry firearms outside of residence (PTCFORs) are suspended.
Under the guidelines issued by PNP, “members of privately-owned or operated security, investigative, protective, or intelligence agencies duly authorized by PNP can possess firearms in uniform with his ID, in the actual performance of duty at his specified place/area.”
The issued firearms of security guards shall be left/deposited in their respective posts when off duty.
“All persons in civilian attire are presumed unauthorized to carry firearms and are subject for arrest and investigation,” the guidelines stated.
Moreover, firearms of arrested person performing duties as security to candidates of any elective position shall be immediately verified thru the Firearms Verification Hotline (FVH) maintained by PNP-FED.
During process of verification, the local PNP units shall provide temporary security detail to candidates secured by those apprehended persons, after confirming legitimacy of subject’s security detail.
He shall be immediately restored to his former duty.
Also, all captured, confiscated/surrendered/deposited/abandoned/forfeited firearms will be initially deposited to the nearest police station for proper documentation/accounting/disposition;
In provision of security detail, only PNP/AFP/NBI personnel and protective agents of PDA (private detective agencies) shall be deputized as security detail during election period provided, detail shall be in proper uniform in performing official security duties.
Security for politicians
Under the COMELEC gun ban guidelines, only candidates from mayor upwards will be provided with PNP/AFP security details while others may engage the services of protective agents.
Further, not more than two members of PNP/AFP/NBI shall be detailed as security for each candidate, with the addition, upon request, of not more than two protective agents, save in exceptionally meritorious circumstances where additional security details may be requested by candidates for national elective positions, subject to such conditions and restrictions that the COMELEC may impose.
All existing authority granting security detail are also revoked effective January 10, 2010.Affected officials/individuals may reapply for availment of same with COMELEC.
“Candidates for House of Representative and local elective positions, as well as public officers or private individuals, shall file their applications with Regional Joint Security Control Center (R-JSCC) in their respective regions to be chaired by COMELEC Regional Election Director,” Demiar added.
Also, candidates for national elective positions shall file their applications with Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Personnel (CBFSP) at Main Office of COMELEC, Intramuros, Manila.
Security detail of local candidates visiting other provinces/cities shall compulsorily register with the corresponding JSCC.
