MPD to enforce ‘plain view’ doctrine at poll checkpoints

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District (MPD) will exercise the “plain view doctrine” at checkpoints it will set up for the barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections (BSKE) in October, an official said yesterday.

Police would go after loose firearms that could be used to threaten voters as well as those planning to commit vote buying and vote selling, MPD director Brig. Gen. Andre Dizon said during a press briefing.

The “plain view” doctrine means the police officer can focus a flashlight into the vehicle and observe its occupants, according to the Commission on Elections (Comelec). The motorist and passengers, however, are not under any obligation to alight from their vehicle and open any compartment.

Only if something arouses reasonable suspicion can the police do something other than look, the poll body said.

Dizon said police officers should ensure that election checkpoints are “well-lighted” and display signage bearing the names and contact information of police commanders.

The Comelec recently declared a “money ban,” wherein carrying as much as P500,000 cash will be prohibited five days before and on the day of the BSKE on Oct. 30.

Asked how police would determine if the occupants of a car carrying a huge amount of cash could be suspected of vote buying and vote selling, Dizon said the Comelec would give guidance on it.

He said vote buying and vote selling is more prevalent in the provinces “based on my personal experience.”

Since the police will be under Comelec control during the runup to the BSKE, which will start with the filing of certificates of candidacy on Aug. 28, police would follow the poll body, Dizon said.

“Unless there is an overt criminal activity like aiming their guns at people and intimidation, (then) we will arrest them outright,” he said.

An estimated 4,200 police officers will be assigned at election checkpoints in Manila starting this week, with some of them briefed during a send-off ceremony at the MPD headquarters yesterday.

Comelec-Metro Manila regional director Jubil Surmieda said the poll body will go after people carrying huge amounts of cash for vote buying and vote selling.

The Comelec will also qualify as probable cause for vote buying and vote selling incidents of crowding at houses of candidates and giving away not only cash but also goodies, as well as using digital means like mobile wallets, he added.