Eleazar: No violations at checkpoints except for two cases involving riders

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar on Monday said no violations have been recorded at Commission on Elections checkpoints except for two cases involving motorcycle riders.

"Nitong unang bugso ng ating checkpoint operation, wala tayong nahuli na may dala na baril o deadly weapon. Only during the conduct of inspection mayroon tayong isang tricycle driver na nahulihan ng shabu. Pagkuha niya ng lisensiya sa kanyang wallet ay nanginginig, eh paghugot niya ay may nakasamang shabu.," Eleazar said in an interview on GMA News' Unang Balita.

The NCRPO official also said that a motorcycle rider was also apprehended at a checkpoint in Novaliches, Quezon City for not wearing a helmet. Upon inspection, police discovered the rider was carrying a .45-caliber firearm, in violation of the gun ban which took effect on Sunday.

"The rest, wala naman tayong masyadong violation kasi itong checkpoint operation ay hindi naman bago. Eh tuloy-tuloy nating ginagawa. Actually for the past two years tayo nasa state of emergency at lawlessness kaya't normal ito dahil napakaepektibong intervention for crime prevention," Eleazar said.

"Ngayon ay Comelec-supervised na tayo, meaning, lahat ng lugar dapat alam ng Comelec kung saan tayo nagko-conduct ng checkpoints," he added.

The Philippine National Police began its checkpoint operations on Sunday, the start of the election period. The gun ban also started on Sunday.

"Lahat ng permit to carry firearm outside of residence are deemed suspended," the NCRPO chief said.

He added though that the Comelec has issued exemptions for members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, NBI and other law enforcement agencies who need to carry firearms in the conduct of their operations and are in uniform.

Eleazar said there are no election hotspots in Metro Manila but they are coordinating with Comelec to continuously evaluate and assess areas that may become hotspots.

The NCRPO chief said legitimate Comelec checkpoints are well-lighted, are manned by police in uniform, and have two signages—one 20 meters before the checkpoint, and one at the checkpoint itself—bearing the names of the election officer and the commanding officer or team leader from the PNP.

Eleazar also advised motorists to slow down when approaching a checkpoint, dim their headlights, turn on the light inside their vehicles, lower their windows, and allow police officers to do a visual checking.

Those riding motorcycles need to show their driver's licenses, he said.

Eleazar said the public may contact the PNP hotlines for any comment or inquiry:

• 911
• 09158888181
• 09999018181

"Napakaganda ng mga resulta ng ating checkpoint operation dahil dito natin nape-prevent ang possible crimes pati na rin ang mga motorista na nagdadala ng ilegal na bangkay. At the same time nakakahuli naman talaga tayo. Ito'y para sa kabutihan ng nakakarami," Eleazar said. —KG, GMA News