The Commission on Elections urged the public to cooperate with the police and military manning checkpoint inspections in relation to the upcoming May 2025 midterm polls as the election period starts today (Sunday, January 12, 2025).
The National Capital Region Police Office also vowed to strictly enforce the election gun ban that will last until June 11, 2025.
“We would implement the plain view doctrine during checkpoint inspections,” Comelec chairman George Garcia said.
“This prevents security officers from conducting more stringent inspections unless there is clearly visible evidence or reasonable grounds to justify it. Checkpoint inspections should be conducted in well-lit areas with proper signages and markings,” he said.
Security officers are not allowed to conduct body searches or require drivers to open their trunk or glove compartment for inspections unless there is reasonable ground the person inside the car has committed, is committing, or will commit a crime, Garcia said.
As for the gun ban, only on-duty personnel from law enforcement agencies in full uniform will be allowed to carry firearms. Civilians who wish to carry firearms must secure special permits from the Comelec for exemption.
NCRPO Director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin assured the public the Philippine National Police, as one of the agencies deputized by Comelec, will carry out election-related duties and enforce laws without bias.
He also encouraged the public to report any rude or abusive police personnel to the nearest police station.
During the election period, no individual is permitted to bear, carry, or transport firearms or other deadly weapons in public places. This prohibition applies to buildings, streets, parks, private vehicles, and public transport, regardless of whether the person is licensed to possess or carry such weapons.
As this developed, the Department of Migrant Workers said it requested Comelec to exclude expenditures for job fairs from the election spending ban.
DMW-Taipei Director Cesar Chavez Jr. said the jobs fairs are necessary to expedite the hiring of thousands of job vacancies in Taiwan.
