The Northern Police District (NPD) has established Comelec checkpoints in Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, and Valenzuela as the election period begins.
NPD District Director PCOL Josefino Ligan led the launch of the checkpoints in Caloocan City, aiming to ensure visible police presence and monitor criminal activity.
Simultaneous checkpoints were also set up in Barangay Maysilo (Malabon), C4 Road in Barangay Bagumbayan North (Navotas), and Barangay Maraulas (Valenzuela).
As the election checkpoint commences, a nationwide gun ban will also take effect. Police officers will be exempted but must carry a certificate of authority to carry firearms.
PCAPT Mikko Arellano of the Bagong Barrio Police Substation said that as the gun ban is imposed, officers will use a certificate of authority as a permit for their firearms.
NPD also deployed additional police forces to the local police substations.
“Our district deployed mobile forces to further bolster our checkpoints. With this, we also advise citizens to cooperate, especially if they are law-abiding,” Arellano added.
To ensure citizens' rights are upheld, the police will implement the “plain view doctrine” at these checkpoints.
“The plain view doctrine will be observed by the police. They will only look; they can’t require individuals to open trunks unless there is an initial violation that warrants a search,” Arellano added.
In Caloocan City, the Bagong Barrio Police Substation will handle the checkpoint in front of the Sogo Hotel, while the East Grace Park Police Substation will manage the checkpoint in the adjacent eastbound lane of EDSA.