Checkpoints to be in well-lit areas, manned by uniformed men —police

The Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and the Philippine National Police assured the public that there is nothing to be afraid of when passing through election checkpoints as the gun ban will begin on January 12 in preparation for the May 2025 polls.

“Mayroon itong marked vehicle, mayroon itong signage kung saan nakalagay yung pangalan nung team leader, yung mga nagma-man ng checkpoint naka-proper uniform, may mga nameplate, at nasa well-lighted area kapag gabi,” said Manila Police District spokesperson Police Major Philipp Ines in Sandra Aguinaldo’s report on "24 Oras" on Friday. 

(We have a marked vehicle with the signage indicating the team leader’s name, our people manning the checkpoints are in their proper uniform and should be wearing their nameplates, and our checkpoints are in well-lighted areas at night.) 

The election gun ban will start on Sunday and remain in effect until June 11. 

Authorities are asking the public to comply with authorities at checkpoints. 

“Kapag tayo ay papalapit sa checkpoint, patayin na natin yung headlight, buksan natin yung cabin light. Makipag-coordinate tayo, wala naman po tayong magiging problema,” said Ines. 

The Automobile Association of the Philippines (AAP), meanwhile, reminded everyone that checkpoint procedures should be simple.

“Hindi kailangang bumaba ng sasakyan, hindi rin naman pwedeng kapain yung mga passenger at saka yung driver. Because the main purpose is one or two questions:  ‘Saan ho kayo galing?’ , ‘Saan po kayo pupunta?’...If you cannot answer the basic question, you will escalate the conversation na mukha kayong may tinatago,” said AAP trustee Robby Consunji. 

(You don’t need to step out of your car and they cannot physically inspect the passengers and the driver. The main purpose of the checkpoint is to ask one or two questions: ‘Where did you come from?’ ‘Where are you heading?’...If you cannot answer the basic question, you will just make yourself suspicious.) 

Authorities can inspect the vehicle but only what they can see in front of them or the plain view doctrine. 

“Titingnan natin kung may nakikita tayong mga ipinagbabawal, mga ilegal na items diyan katulad ng baril. Kung wala naman, hindi natin ire-require na buksan yung compartment, yung trunk para mahanap natin,” Ines explained. 

(We will just check if we can see any illegal items like guns. If we did not see anything suspicious, we will not require you to open your compartment or trunk.) 

The COMELEC has placed a total of 38 election areas of concern under the “red” category, or those with serious threats of election-related violence. 

An initial list bared by the poll body showed around 1,239 areas in the country were declared election hot spots for the upcoming midterm polls. —Vince Angelo Ferreras/LDF, GMA Integrated News