Comelec exempts over 1K firearm owner
POLICE chief Gen. Rommel Francisco Marbil yesterday said four people have been arrested during the early hours of the implementation of the Commission on Elections’ (Comelec) ban against carrying of guns in connection with the national and local polls on May 12.
In an interview, Marbil said the four violators were from the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), Western Visayas, Soccsksargen and Central Luzon.
He said high-powered and low-powered firearms were seized from the suspects but did not give additional details.
He did not name the four but said criminal charges are being readied against them.
Comelec- un Ban and Security Concerns Committee chairperson Commissioner Aimee Ferolino said 1,131 individuals have been issued certificates of exemptions to the election gun ban.
“The public can still apply for exemptions until a date we will set later on when we will no longer accept applications. For now, they can still apply anytime online,” Ferolino said.
Elections chairman George Garcia said those who will be caught carrying firearms without exemptions from the poll body can be charged with election offenses and violation of the firearms law.
CHECKPOINTS
Marbil on Sunday led the ceremonial launching of the 1,472 election checkpoints that have been put up across the country.
The checkpoints, which will be manned by policemen and soldiers and supervised by the poll body, and the gun ban will be implemented until the end of the election period on June 11.
Garcia said the number of checkpoints will be adjusted depending on circumstances.
“As Election Day draws closer, especially if there will be some incidents, we will be adjusting these checkpoints,” he said.
He likewise appealed to the public not to be afraid of the Comelec checkpoints.
“What is important is that these checkpoints won’t intimidate the people as these are just parts of the election process. The people will still be able to walk and travel freely,” he said.
During the launching ceremony, Marbil told policemen who will be manning the checkpoints to always wear body cameras and alternative recording devices to document police actions and discourage any abuses.
Rizal provincial police office (PPO) director Col. Felipe Maraggun said 14 election checkpoints were established in Antipolo City and the province’s 13 other municipalities.
Maraggun said each checkpoint will be manned by at least eight personnel.
“Aside from performing their roles at the checkpoints, our personnel will also stay vigilant for other possible crimes,” he also said.
Comelec checkpoints were also launched in the eastern part of Metro Manila, Col. Villamor Tuliao, eastern police district (EPD) officer-in-charge, said.
The EPD jurisdiction includes the cities of Pasig, San Juan, Mandaluyong and Marikina.
The PNP said strict security measures are being implemented to ensure the safety of the public.
“We urge everyone to be patient and understanding as these security measures are put in place. These are all for your safety, and we ask for your continued cooperation to help make this election season peaceful and secure,” Marbil said.
In a statement, Marbil urged the public to cooperate in the implementation of the election-related heightened security measures.
“We call on the public to cooperate fully with law enforcement officers manning the checkpoints. These measures, including the gun ban, are critical to ensuring peace and order throughout the election period. By working together, we can achieve a secure and orderly electoral process,” he said.
National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director Brig. Gen. Anthony Aberin said the checkpoints will contribute to the conduct of orderly and fair elections.
Aberin said the checkpoints are “convincingly necessary for the maintenance of public safety and implementation of election-related laws, particularly on carrying unauthorized firearms and weapons.”
“The NCRPO is fully committed to ensuring that this election period is marked by peace, order, and security. Through these checkpoints, we will uphold the law and maintain the sanctity of the electoral process,” he added.
Marbil and Aberin also ordered NCRPO personnel to refrain from engaging in any partisan political activity.
“As we carry our primary responsibility for the upcoming elections, let us not show allegiance to any political party,” Aberin said.
“Stay committed to our sworn duty, allow every Filipino citizen to cast their votes without worrying about their safety,” he added.
BARMM POLLS
The Armed Forces said it will help concerned government agencies in ensuring the national and local elections will be orderly and peaceful.
“Our objective is to have clean, honest and credible elections,” said AFP spokesperson Col. Francel Margareth Padilla.
Padilla said the military will augment the PNP in maintaining peace and order.
“The Armed Forces will perform the mandate given to us by the Comelec, like the conduct of checkpoint (operations), securing the ballots and others,” she also said.
Padilla likewise said the military will give special attention to the BARMM where the first parliamentary will be held.
Additional troops will be deployed to BARMM if necessary, she said.
“We have a lot of troops that are available. The entire strength of AFP will make sure that the conduct of the elections will be peaceful and orderly,” she added.
Padilla said the military also has reservists who can be tapped to help ensure peaceful and orderly elections in BARMM.
ELECTION BANS
Garcia reminded national and local governments of the prevailing ban on the transfer or detail of officers and employees in the civil service, as well as the suspension of elective provincial, city, municipal, or barangay officers.
He said such movements in the government must first be authorized by the Comelec during the election period before they can be enforced.
“This is a warning to local government units and the national government agencies: You must secure exemptions from the Comelec before transferring or suspending those in government,” Garcia said.
However, he said that the Office of the Ombudsman is not covered by the election ban.
“The Ombudsman may continue performing its mandate without the need to seek exemption from the Comelec,” he said.
GENERALLY PEACEFUL
Garcia declared that the first day of the election period for the May 2025 national, local, and Bangsamoro parliamentary polls was “generally peaceful.”
Garcia said the poll body has not monitored any untoward incidents on the first day of the 120 days preceding Election Day.
“The entire country is generally peaceful for the start of the election period,” he said.
The Comelec has identified 403 areas of concern, including 38 areas in the “Red Category,” which are places with serious armed threats and a history of election-related incidents.
“Just because these areas are in the Red Category, it doesn’t mean that the security situation there is unstable. These areas will still undergo continuous assessment and updating,” Garcia said.
NOT CAMPAIGN PERIOD
Garcia yesterday underscored that the start of the election period is not the same as the start of the campaign period.
Based on Comelec Resolution No. 10999, the election period runs from January 12 to June 11, 2025; while the campaign period will start on February 11 for national bets and March 28 for local candidates with both ending on May 10.
“Just because we started the election period it doesn’t mean we are also within the campaign period,” he said, explaining that political aspirants will still not be held accountable for their premature campaign materials.
“Therefore, the issues of giant tarpaulins and billboards and ads on TV, radio, and social media, those are still not prohibited,” said Garcia. – With Christian Oineza
