Five killed in election checkpoint operations — PNP

MANILA, Philippines — Five individuals have been killed in police operations at various election checkpoints nationwide since Sunday, the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Tuesday.

As of 6 a.m. of January 15, five deaths were recorded by the police. Two deaths were from Police Regional Office 3. The three other fatalities were reportedly motorists killed by the police, but no details were available.

Police have also confiscated 47 firearms, 21 bladed weapons, one grenade, and 289 rounds of ammunition in 6,264 checkpoints.

READ: As election fever rises, PNP starts setting up checkpoints

Police have likewise arrested 45 people, 22 of which were nabbed at checkpoints. Four were arrested by virtue of arrest search warrants, and 14 were collared during police patrol and five during police operations.

The checkpoints were set up on Sunday midnight to intercept guns, explosives, and other weapons that could be used in crimes as the election season starts. /ee