Comelec starts checkpoints
THE Commissions on Elections together with Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) implemented the setting up of checkpoints in the city coinciding with the nationwide election gun ban which started Sunday.
BCPO Community Relations Unit Head Police Superintendent Vic Orsino said 10 checkpoints have been set up in the city aside from other checkpoint areas manned by the City Public Safety Company and the Mobil Patrol Unit.
Aside from the carrying of firearms and deadly weapons without the Comelec’s permit, the poll body also reminded the public of the prohibitions during the election period
such as, the alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct, the use of security personnel or bodyguards by candidates, unless authorized by the Comelec, coercing, threatening.
Intimidating or terrorizing any election official or employee in the performance of his election functions or duties, the transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service including public school teacher, organizing or maintaining reaction forces, strike forces or similar force, suspension of any elective provincial, city, municipal or barangay officers.
Violations are punishable by one to six years of imprisonment, disqualification to hold public office, and deprivation of the right to vote, said the poll body.
Meanwhile, Association of Barangay Captain Baguio Councilor Micheal Lawana welcomed the move of the commission.
“Since there is still no law postponing the barangay and Sanguniang Kabataan elections, the police have to implement what is in their calendar of activities, where still awaiting the signature of President Duterte if he finally decides to postpone it (barangay electons),” said Lawana.
Based on a Comelec resolution filed early this year, it required each city to have at least one Comelec checkpoint, but the police and the military can likewise set up their own checkpoints in coordination with election officers with jurisdiction over each city.
The conduct of Comelec checkpoints was supervised by BCPO Director Ramil Saculles, City Election officer Atty. Martin together with the Deputy Directors for Administration and Operations of BCPO.
Meanwhile, a laborer was arrested for possessing a bladed weapon while inside a bar during the implementation in the city of the of the nationwide gun ban.
As per record of the Baguio City Police Office Station 7, at about 11:30 p.m. of October 1, police operatives arrested Jayson Farnag Quiaño inside Amarilio Bar for violation of COMELEC Resolution 10197 Sec. 2.
The arrest came following a call by the management of the bar after one of their waiter saw a protruding pointed object wrapped in a black jacket.
Quiao together with the confiscated piece of evidence was turned over to the responding operatives of Police Station 7 after being positively identified by the waiter.
Baguio City Police Office City Director Ramil Saculles meanwhile reminded the public to be aware of the nationwide gun ban and checkpoints, and to refrain from bringing weapons when visiting establishments or face the necessary penalties upon arrests.