Tuesday, October 09, 2007 Election officer tells police: Inform us of checkpoints
CEBU City Election Officer for the north district Marchel Sarno yesterday reminded police personnel conducting checkpoints to coordinate with the local poll offices, as specified in Commission on Elections (Comelec) rules.
Sarno observed that several checkpoints have been conducted since the election period began last Sept. 29 but they have not been informed about the operation.
He said that based on Comelec Resolution 8312, the local poll office should be informed about any checkpoint to be conducted during the election period, regardless of its purpose.
The election officer also reminded the police of the rules in conducting checkpoints, violation of which is considered an election offense that is punishable with imprisonment.
“For the entire duration of the election period, the police or military should inform the election officer and I am requesting the police to tell us because under the law, it is their obligation to notify us when and where the checkpoint will be,” Sarno said.
Deputized agencies
The police and the military are deputized agencies of the Comelec for the conduct of checkpoints, that is why it is only proper that poll offices are informed of their activities, he continued.
Comelec checkpoints are mandated under the resolution to effectively implement the firearms ban during the election period.
Under the resolution, any unit designated to man a Comelec checkpoint should be led by a responsible regular member of the Armed Forces of the Philippines or the Philippine National Police (PNP).
AFP and PNP personnel manning the checkpoints are required to be in complete uniform and should not be under the influence of liquor or drugs.
“Any violation hereof shall make the offender and his commanding officer jointly liable for administrative and or criminal action,” the resolution said.
Sarno further said that if there are arrests made or items confiscated during a checkpoint, the arresting officers should make a detailed report of the incident and submit it to the local police office. (LCR)
