243 checkpoints set up in Region 6 for October polls
The Police Regional Office 6 through its various units all over Western Visayas has established 243 checkpoint areas to ensure honest, orderly and peaceful elections this October.
Chief Supt. Samuel Pagdilao Jr., police regional director, said the checkpoints are necessary because of the absolute gun ban.
He said the police would like to make an impact and “dramatize the need for citizens not to bring firearms during these times.”
The PRO6 has apprehended 11 persons during the first day of the gun ban that started on September 25.
The six arrested in Sibalom, Antique were members of the Revolutionary Proletarian Army-Alex Boncayao Brigade.
Two more civilians were arrested also in Antique while others who were detained for gun ban violation were from Iloilo City and Bacolod City.
The operations resulted to the confiscation of five firearms.
Meanwhile, Pagdilao urged the public to support the Philippine National Police’s anti-criminality drive during the election period by reporting to the police incidents such as activities related to partisan politics and intimidation by partisan armed groups.
Exemption
Meanwhile, the Commission on Elections has granted the request of President Benigno Simeon Aquino III to make new appointments for selected posts within the election period.
“We applied for exemption for several appointments…only specific appointments,” Presidential Spokesperson Edwin Lacierda said in a press briefing yesterday.
Lacierda said the request was based on the fact that the barangay election is a non-partisan exercise.
The President reportedly has yet to fill up over a thousand vacant posts.
In a resolution, the COMELEC has announced that appointing an officer of any government office, including government-owned and-controlled corporations, whether permanent or casual, is illegal.
The prohibition covers the hiring of any new employee as well as transferring of posts, creating new positions, suspending any elected official and granting salary increases for the period September 25 to November 10.
The COMELEC said it shall only grant exemptions unless “it is satisfied that the position to be filled is essential to the proper functioning of the office or agency concerned.”
Violation of the resolution shall be an election offense, which carries a penalty of one to six years’ imprisonment as well as removal of the right to vote and be voted to public office.*PNA
