Bacolod City – Heightened visibility of both the police and Philippine Army are expected in Negros Occidental, through the conduct of joint checkpoints, simultaneously by law enforcement agencies, in all in 32 towns and cities, ahead of the start of the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan Election (BSKE) period today August 28.
In the conduct of joint PNP and Army checkpoints, PCol. Leo Pamittan, provincial police director of Negros Occidental, said that they will check incoming and outgoing vehicles, passing along the main thoroughfares of towns or cities.
Pamittan said the inspection teams will be beefed up perimeter security forces and will field motorcycle cops who will act as spotters, and to chase those who are fleeing from checkpoints.
Brig. Gen. Orlando Edralin, Army’s 303rd Infantry Brigade commander, also said that the conduct of checkpoints in the hinterland areas will also be made in close coordination with the Philippine National Police.
Three days before the start of the election period on Aug. 28, the Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center, which is composed of the Comelec, PNP, Philippine Army and Coast Guard, was reactivated yesterday in Negros Occidental.
Aug. 28 is also the start of the enforcement of Comelec gun ban, and for the candidates to start filing their certificates of candidacy until Sept. 2.
The gun ban enforcement prohibits the carrying of firearms or deadly weapon outside of the home, unless there is a certificate of authority from Comelec. Even security personnel, whether legitimate or non-legitimate gun holders, should secure a certificate of authority, the Comelec added.
Pamittan said they will be using the plain view doctrine, or visual search, which simply means that policemen are not allowed to open bags, or trunks of vehicles passing the checkpoint.
Provincial Comelec supervisor Atty. Ian Lee Ananoria, who presided over the first JPSCC coordinating conference at the Provincial Capitol Social in Bacolod City, which was also attended by Philippine Army officials, chiefs of police and Election Officers, reiterated warnings against premature campaigning.
The campaign period for BSKE 2023 starts October 19 to 28, with election day slated on Oct. 30.
Ananoria also advised BSKE candidates to make sure that their respective COCs are completely filled up, signed, notarized with documentary stamps, and complete with photos. (Gilbert Bayoran via The Visayan Daily Star (TVDS), photo courtesy of TVDS)
