Albayalde asks for ‘understanding and cooperation’ at Comelec checkpoints

The Philippines National Police (PNP) has appealed to the public for “understanding and cooperation” as it implements stricter inspections at checkpoints in the run up to the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan (SK) elections this May.

PNP chief Director General Oscar Albayalde, who only assumed his new post on Thursday, said police at Commission on Elections (Comelec) checkpoints would enforce more stringent measures as the local election nears.

“Walang magbabago dyan (Nothing will change there). What’s important should be our policemen should be courteous. We should treat the motorists fair, ‘di dapat namimili (we should not be selective),” Albayalde said in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Friday, explaining his policy on checkpoints.

“Sa mga tao natin (To our people), we would like to appeal for their understanding and cooperation. Para po sa atin lahat iyan (It’s for us all), remember we have the gun ban now,” he added.

The gun ban declared by the Comelec started last April 14, as the election period began. The gun ban will be in effect nationwide up to May 21 or one week after the barangay and elections on May 14.

Anyone who would be found violating the gun ban would be arrested for illegal possession of firearms and violating Comelec rules, authorities said.

READ: SK, barangay poll gun ban starts on Saturday

While emphasizing that checkpoints are also being carried out randomly to all vehicles, Albayalde noted that police intercept several motorcycle riders because criminals often use motorcycles as getaway vehicles.

“’Yung mga motorcycle ‘yan ang madalas gamitin (sa krimen). Most of arrest during checkpoint operations ang daming nakatagong baril, droga sa compartment. Mas maraming incidents of motorcycle theft,” he said.

(Motorcycles are often used in committing crimes. Most of those arrested during checkpoints, their motorcycles’ compartments contain guns and drugs. There were lots of incidents of motorcycle theft.)

“’Yun ang gusto natin maiwasan so hinihingi ang copy ng OR/CR (official receipt and certificate of registration) nila kasi halos lahat yan bago at walang rehistro,” he added.

(That is what we want to prevent so we inspect their OR/CR because almost all those involved in crime do not have their motorcycles registered.) /kga