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PNP starts checkpoint operations as election period begins
The election period for the May 2019 midterms began Sunday midnight as a kick-off ceremony was held in Camp Karingal, Quezon City, and the Philippine National Police (PNP) began its nationwide checkpoint operations.
As Commission on Elections Chairman Sheriff Abas and Spokesperson James Jimenez attended the Camp Karingal ceremony, PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde and National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar inspected checkpoints in San Juan and Manila.
LOOK: PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde at NCRPO Chief Eleazar nag-inspeksyon din sa Comelec checkpoint sa España Blvd., Sampaloc, Maynila. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/vsZrCKkd0O
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 12, 2019
LOOK: PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde, nag-inspeksyon din sa Comelec checkpoint sa N. Domingo St., San Juan City. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/kxYkV4MA0j
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 12, 2019
LOOK: PNP Chief Oscar Albayalde, nag-inspeksyon sa checkpoint sa Quezon City sa pagsisimula ng election gun ban. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/FhNilY5bp5
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 12, 2019
The gun ban also started Sunday.
Albayalde noticed that the flashlight batteries of some police personnel were draining and said he will address it to improve their operations.
“Ang nakikita lang natin dito probably is pag-improve-in pa natin. Lalo na 'yung pagdala ng flashlight. 'Yung ibang pulis natin nagdala ng flashlight parang halos walang nang baterya,” he said.
PNP Chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, nasita ang ilang pulis sa checkpoint sa Quezon City dahil sa mga mahihinang flashlight. | via @luisitosantos03 pic.twitter.com/ScjFzut4Sv
— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) January 12, 2019
“Pinapakiusap natin sa mga motorista na kapag nakita nila ang checkpoint na buksan nila 'yung ilaw lalo na 'yung sa loob para 'di na tayo masyadong maantala,” Albayalde said.
In Lucena City in Quezon, PNP officers led by Senior Superintendent Osmundo de Guzman, provincial director of Quezon Police, and Atty. Sheryl Julie of Comelec supervised the putting up of checkpoints in major roads.
Motorists were cooperative as police conducted visual checking.
The cops also boarded passenger buses to conduct inspections.
De Guzman said the checkpoint operations in Lucena City have been peaceful so far.
Meanwhile, in San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan, two men riding in tandem on a motorcycle died early Sunday after they escaped from cops at a checkpoint and allegedly fired at police, prompting the cops to fire back at them.
Albayalde, through PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Police Director General Archie Francisco, on Friday issued a memorandum pursuant to Comelec Resolution No. 10468.
The memorandum directed all regional directors to establish at least one checkpoint in each of the country's 1600 cities and municipalities.
This was to be done in coordination with the local Comelec Officer and Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) territorial unit in the area.
The memorandum also specifically instructed regional directors to personally lead the kick-off of checkpoint operations simultaneously nationwide at 12:01 a.m. of Sunday, January 13.
At the same time, the government would activate Regional and Provincial Election Monitoring and Action Centers that were tasked to keep track of all activities and significant accomplishments relative to the 2019 midterm elections.
The 150-day election period will end on June 12, 2019.
The PNP is closely watching 19 cities and municipalities considered as election hotspots.
De Guzman said there is no election hotspot in Quezon province but some towns are considered areas of concern by the PNP and Comelec. —With reports from Peewee Bacuño and Joviland Rita/DVM/KG, GMA News
