Comelec NorMin appeals lawmen courtesy at checkpoints

Cagayan de Oro City — The Commission on Elections (Comelec) regional office in Northern Mindanao on Wednesday appealed to police and military personnel deputized for the implementation of the gun ban at checkpoints to be polite and show respect to motorists across the region.

Lawyer Renato Magbutay, regional director of the Northern Mindanao Comelec, made the appeal as police and military personnel began enforcing the nationwide gun ban ahead of the May midterm elections.

"Let us not be arrogant; we should show courtesy to motorists when conducting Comelec checkpoints," he said.

The appeal came as the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported the confiscation of two firearms in Misamis Oriental. However, only one arrest was made, as a suspect with a revolver tucked in his waist managed to elude lawmen in Tagoloan town when they attempted to accost him.

The responding officers later recovered a homemade .38 caliber revolver that the suspect had thrown before fleeing. Another violator was arrested at a checkpoint outside Cagayan de Oro.

Comelec has also issued a directive stating that replicas and firearms that resemble real guns are included in the election gun ban.

The ban covers other deadly weapons, such as bladed instruments. However, tools used in trades and professions are excluded from the ban.

The Northern Mindanao region includes the provinces of Misamis Oriental, Misamis Occidental, Camiguin, Bukidnon, and Lanao del Norte, as well as the cities of Iligan, Cagayan de Oro, Valencia, El Salvador, Malaybalay, Gingoog, Ozamiz, and Oroquieta.

The nationwide gun ban is in effect from 11 January to 12 June.