NextGen Day

As the 150-day nationwide election gun ban began on Sunday, Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Dionardo Carlos urged attention.

From January 9 to 8, law enforcement will conduct checkpoint operations in crucial places to strictly enforce the gun ban in order to ensure peaceful national and local elections on May 9, 2022, according to Carlos.

“The PNP, in collaboration with other agencies, is prepared to secure any critical installations, economic hubs, and other points of convergence.” “We urge the people to be attentive at all times to prevent unscrupulous individuals and criminal forces from exploiting the election season,” Carlos said in a statement released late Saturday.

According to him, the PNP headquarters, through the Directorate for Operations, has directed Police Regional Offices to set up joint PNP-Commission on Elections-Armed Forces of the Philippines (PNP-Comelec-AFP) checkpoints to conduct weapons checks and other anti-criminality and police security operations against loose firearms, deadly weapons, unauthorized security personnel, private armed groups (PAGs), criminal elements, and wanted persons.

In places with an Alert Level 3 or above, he added checkpoints might be co-located with current Quarantine and Border Control Points if necessary.

The PNP has halted the validity of all Permits to Carry Firearms Outside of Residence (PTCFOR) given to licensed firearm holders, juridical entities, and members of government law enforcement organizations, in accordance with Comelec Resolution No. 10728.

All gun-carrying rights granted by the PNP under the PTCFOR are suspended for the duration of the election period under this resolution.

Permits to transport firearms, ammunition, explosives, public firearms displays, and exhibits, as well as the hiring of security personnel for VIPs, have all been suspended by the PNP.

For the duration of the election season, only bona fide police, military, and members of government law enforcement agencies in full uniform and when on official duty are authorized to carry firearms.

The Comelec Committee on Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns may grant an exception from the firearms restriction enforced by the Comelec (CBFSC).

“Let me remind firearm owners that violating this prohibition is punishable by imprisonment for not less than one year but not more than six years and shall not be subject to probation,” Carlos said. “In addition, the guilty party shall be disqualified from holding public office and deprivation of the right to vote, and finally, cancellation of and/or perpetual disqualification from obtaining a gun license/permit.”

Despite the current national health emergency, he noted, the PNP, in collaboration with the AFP and the Philippine Coast Guard, will deploy adequate forces to ensure that the 2022 elections are peaceful, safe, and secure.

Each PNP-Comelec-AFP checkpoint shall feature a three-foot-by-four-foot signboard to clearly indicate the location of these checkpoints and to provide appropriate notice to the public as they approach.

‘Everything went smoothly,’ says the narrator.

Carlos said PNP units and men were already in place at 12 a.m. Sunday to man several Joint PNP-COMELEC-AFP checkpoints.

“Everything went smoothly since everything had been meticulously arranged in collaboration with the Elections Commission. The first day of implementation was overseen by-poll officers and other officials, who were pleased with the smooth flow of the inspection process,” Carlos added in a separate statement on Sunday.

Carlos praises the police forces for tactically deploying and informing their men about the rules they must follow.

According to the Comelec resolution, these checkpoints must have correctly labeled signage to warn motorists of the checkpoint, must contain the name of the region’s head of police, and must be located in a well-lit area that will not obstruct the smooth flow of traffic or normal activities.

While conducting checkpoint operations, police officers must also wear the required clothing.

The public is reminded that they are not required to exit their vehicles for a physical inspection because the inspection is only intended to be conducted visually.

“They won’t have to unlock their glove compartments, trunks, or luggage,” Carlos explained.

If there is defiance from suspected motorists—a reasonable suspicion that a person has recently committed or is about to commit a crime—the PNP officials will be forced to conduct a more thorough search.

“Overall, no major unpleasant incidents were reported around the country.” “The public has been quite cooperative, which is a fantastic start for us because the election season will go until June 8,” Carlos remarked.

Carlos acknowledged that the checks may cause some annoyance to vehicles, but he said that this is a plan to prevent anyone who would attempt to carry and transport firearms while the statewide gun ban is in effect.

Meanwhile, the chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Maj. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. has stated that they are determined to make this year’s elections secure and peaceful.

“On checkpoints, we will just do a visual search, and the public will not be compelled to unlock their glove compartments, trunks, or luggage.” No one may be subjected to a physical or body search unless there is a reasonable suspicion that they have recently committed, are about to commit, or are committing a crime,” he added.

Ascertain that firearms are correctly documented.

Carlos advised everyone to make sure the firearms they carry are properly licensed and covered by gun ban exemption permits.

“It is important to note that only on-duty police officers who are clearly identified as members of the PNP are permitted to carry firearms. Any public can report any police officers who are misusing or breaching this guideline to the PNP. “We want to keep our employees disciplined,” Carlos said in a statement.

Despite the fact that checkpoints are confined to a visual search, he stated that “police may perform deeper inspection” if the need arises, especially under legal situations.

Danao reminded Metro Manila police officers of the non-partisanship rule, which states that they must not become engaged in politics and must only support what is legal and advantageous to the country’s interests.

“We will step up our efforts to secure the Metro by establishing Joint PNP-COMELEC-AFP checkpoints to conduct weapons checks and other anti-criminality and police security operations against loose firearms, deadly weapons, unauthorized security personnel, Private Armed Groups (PAGs), wanted persons, and other unlawful incidents related to the upcoming national elections to ensure that they are peaceful and orderly,” he said.

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