MANILA, Philippines – At least five persons were arrested at police checkpoints set up in Malabon City and Manila to enforce the election-related gun ban on Monday.
Chris Jerwin Luzano and Jose Velasquez were caught carrying a .45 caliber pistol and an improvised ice pick on Legarda street in Sampaloc, Manila at around 10:50 p.m. Monday, said Director Joel Pagdilao, chief of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO).
In Malabon, Ryan Rosagaran and brothers Noel and Nandro Canlas were arrested at a checkpoint on P. Aquino street in Barangay Tonsuya at around 10:30 p.m. for carrying a .22 caliber revolver, a .45 caliber pistol and seven sachets said to contain shabu.
Pagdilao said the arrested persons failed to present documents from the Commission on Elections exempting them from the gun ban.
He also declared yesterday that all checkpoints should be set up in well-lit areas and a signboard measuring three feet by four feet should be displayed to announce the presence of a checkpoint.
Pagdilao also said an official with the rank of at least an Inspector or Lieutenant should lead uniformed police officers manning a checkpoint and they can only perform a visual search of vehicles they flag down.
“No person may be subjected to a physical or body search in the absence of any reasonable ground,” the NCRPO chief said, noting that the public is not obliged to open the glove compartment, trunk or bags. – With Rey Galupo