|
Thursday, November 27, 2003
Glo: Checkpoints not a prelude to martial law
MANILA -- President Arroyo Wednesday allayed fears of a martial law declaration with the establishment of mobile checkpoints in Metro Manila, defending the move as an act of "enhanced law enforcement".
"More checkpoints do not spell virtual martial law, but enhanced law enforcement," Arroyo pointed out.
Arroyo ordered Tuesday Presidential Adviser on Kidnapping Angelo Reyes to put up more police visibility and checkpoints at strategic places in Metro Manila to deter kidnap gangs and bank robbing syndicates.
"This is the one way to effectively check the mobility of criminals to deter them from crime or to catch them after they have committed one. Only criminals should fear these intensified security measures," Arroyo said.
Arroyo explained that checkpoints backed by barangay vigilance are proactive measures that must be used extensively.
She reiterated her administration's commitment to neutralizing kidnapping operations in the country despite criticism by some sectors of the capability of the administration to address the issue, and the threat of the Chinese-Filipino community to boycott classes until the peace and order situation in the country, particularly in Metro Manila, stabilizes.
"We will not be deterred by faultfinders who call for effective measures against crime but criticize the Government for every move at every turn," she said.
Policemen who will be manning the planned mobile checkpoints will get an augmentation from members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), AFP spokesman Lieutenant General Rodolfo Garcia announced Wednesday.
Garcia however, clarified that the soldiers will not be visible and they will act as the police "extra manpower".
Garcia added this arrangement has been made to avoid the return of the martial law years when soldiers and tanks were at the checkpoints.
Soldiers from the Task Force Libra and the National Capital Region Command (NCRC) will be deployed with the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (Naktaf) agents.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Joey Lina also assured the public that the police would strictly observe the guidelines set by the Supreme Court in the conduct of checkpoints.
Lina said strategic areas for the conduct of the checkpoints have already been identified, but are being reviewed, following a directive from the President.
Lina said the checkpoint, confirmed by the SC as legal, is mobile and supported by these principles:
* Number one, the search would be limited only to visual search, neither the vehicle itself nor the occupants will be subjected to a search.
* Number two, the police conducting the checkpoint would not be limited to the plain view doctrine with regards to safety.
* Number three, the police, however, [should] ask permission to conduct further search on the vehicle or its occupants by asking the driver to open the car compartment or let the occupants step down for further search.
* Number four, should the driver or occupants allow the police to conduct search more than just a visual search or gave permission to the police for the conduct of search on a vehicle or the occupant, this would be tantamount to a valid waiver against unreasonable searches.
Lina also stressed that authorities conducting the checkpoints should be in uniform, wear a nameplate and conducted checks in a well-lighted area.
The checkpoint will be conducted nationwide.
Meanwhile, Arroyo said she doubts the veracity of the reported rise in kidnapping cases in the country as presented by the PNP, noting that police records are usually unreliable.
But she believes that any sudden rise in reported kidnapping incidents could only mean that the people are starting to trust the police.
PNP records showed an increase in kidnapping incidents from 66 cases in 2002 to 84 as of Nov. 24.
But that number of kidnapping cases is way below the 103 incidents recorded by the Citizens' Action Against Crime (CAAC) and the Movement for Restoration of Peace and Order (MRPO). The cases did not include the kidnapping/murder of Betti Chua Sy and Gellina Crystel Dy last week.
The putting up of checkpoints came in as an alternative to lift the moratorium on death penalty, which has been viewed as a deterrent for those who commit heinous crimes.
President Arroyo believes strengthening the five pillars of the criminal justice system is a more effective crime deterrent than the death penalty law.
"So if we are able to address these five pillars of the criminal justice system, this is the most, more effective deterrent than capital punishment itself. That is the point of the President," Presidential Spokesman Ignacio Bunye said.
Bunye named these five pillars as the police, the prosecution, the courts, the correctional system, and cooperation between the citizenry and the law enforcers or government.
Bunye said the President has her own discretion and from her point of view, the death penalty is not the solution. "She is exercising her discretion which is within the purview of the existing law," Bunye said.
When someone is sentenced to death, it automatically goes to the Supreme Court for review, which then transmits to the Director of Corrections its decision. The President also has powers vested in her by law. She can allow execution, grant a reprieve or commute the sentence, Bunye explained.
Bunye brushed aside suggestions that the President may have been influenced by the Church, which is against capital punishment.
Bunye also said the death penalty is being reviewed by Congress where there are pros and antis. "This issue is very divisive. Why concentrate on an issue that divides us? Let's concentrate on issues that unite us, rather than the issues that divide us," he said.
(November 27, 2003 issue)
Write letter to the editor. Click here.
Join the Sun.Star message board. Click here. |
|
|
|
 |
| click
to comment on this article or discuss it with other readers |
[return to top]
[home]
|
|
Lawmakers to seek Glo help on power crisis