AFP spokesperson Restituto Padilla. FILE
WITH the election period under way, the military will set up checkpoints in conflict-affected areas in Mindanao to prevent loose firearms from being used in election-related incidents.
The Armed Forces of the Philippines—which plays a support role to the Philippine National Police in enforcing the checkpoints—will concentrate its troops in areas where police are relatively few.
“The concentration of our soldiers is in conflict-affected areas like in Mindanao and where the PNP’s numbers are thin,” said Col. Restituto Padilla, AFP spokesperson.
In conflict-affected areas, checkpoints serve to deter the movement of private armed groups bearing loose firearms, he said.
The election period formally began Sunday with a kick-off ceremony attended by PNP, AFP and Commission on Election (Comelec) officials, as well as some candidates.
The PNP, AFP and the Comelec, along with other agencies are part of the so-called Secure And Fair Elections (SAFE) team to ensure peaceful, honest elections in May.
Gun ban
The checkpoints are meant to enforce the election gun ban, which also took effect on Sunday.
PNP chief Director General Ricardo Marquez said a security guard in Isabela was the first person arrested for violating the gun ban.
Romel Simbran, a security officer and resident of Santiago City, was arrested at a checkpoint in Barangay Batal on Sunday. He had with him .38-cal. revolvers with 14 bullets.
Marquez himself led the ceremonial opening of the checkpoints.
The PNP deputy chief for operations, Deputy Director General Danilo Constantino, is the SAFE commander.
At the checkpoints, policemen and soldiers are only allowed to do a visual search of the vehicle, with its occupants remaining inside.
Checkpoints are not fixed and may be moved from one area to another.
Law enforcement personnel conducting the checkpoints must be in proper uniform and use marked vehicles with signs indicating they are part of a Comelec checkpoint.
Part of the preparations for the elections includes the recall of armed security personnel serving as bodyguards of politicians and candidates.
“The AFP must remain apolitical during the election period. In order to maintain an apolitical stance, we must abide by all the Comelec resolutions issued,” Padilla said. ‘’The Comelec will issue exemptions to those (with) serious security requirements.”