Checkpoints set up in Bataan as poll period starts

By Ernie Esconde/PNA

SAMAL, Bataan — The Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Commission on Elections (Comelec) set up checkpoints at exactly 12 midnight Saturday in 11 towns and one city in this province as the election period started nationwide on Sunday.

Senior Insp. Winston Norte, Samal police chief, and his deputy, Senior Insp. Rizaldy Rubio, supervised the activity as municipal election officer Maribeth Abadecio and her staff closely watched.

Abadecio said the election period for the May 13, 2019 national elections will end on June 12.

“Sana ngayon pa lang pag-isipan na natin kung sino dapat iboto na alam nating makakatulong sa bayan (This early, we should be thinking of who to vote for, those we know could help the nation),” Abadecio said when asked what she would like to advise voters.

Norte said midnight of Saturday marked the simultaneous setting-up of Comelec–police checkpoints nationwide.

“Ang violation which we are looking into is mostly implementation of gun ban. We have a lot of things to consider on checkpoint. To the motorists, there must be a mandatory stop. To the police, doctrine of plain view should be followed,” he said.

Police officers should man the checkpoint with a police vehicle in place and the area must be well-lighted, Norte stressed.

“First of all, strict observance of human rights should be carried out on checkpoint,” the police chief added.