The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) started deploying its personnel on Sunday, Jan.9, to help the Philippine National Police (PNP) in manning checkpoints and implementing a gun ban in connection with the May 9 national and local elections.
In Bicol, the Joint Task Force (JTF) Bicolandia fielded troops to augment the Bicol Police Regional Office’s (PRO-5) manpower as it expressed readiness to secure the upcoming polls.
Major General Alex DC Luna, commander of JTF Bicolandia, said that bearing, carrying and transporting of firearms and other deadly weapons are prohibited while employment, availment, or engagement of services of security personnel and bodyguards are also banned during the election period as stated in Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 10728.
The election period runs from Jan. 9 to June 8, 2022.
Meanwhile, officers and personnel of AFP, an active member of the Committee on the Ban on Firearms and Security Concerns (CBFSC), are allowed to carry and possess firearms while performing their official duty during the election period, Luna noted.
"Ang JTF Bicolandia po ay katuwang ng Comelec at PNP upang tiyaking magiging matiwasay at mapayapa ang buong panahon ng 2022 elections (The JTF Bicolandia is one with the Comelec and PNP in ensuring that the entire 2022 elections will be peaceful),” Luna said.
“Wala po kaming ibang hinihiling sa mga Bicolano kundi kooperasyon at pakikiisa. Sisiguruhin po ng inyong mga sundalo na ang darating na halalan ay ligtas at maayos na maisasagawa (We don’t ask for anything to the Bicolanos but their cooperation. Your armed forces will make sure that the upcoming elections will be safe and orderly),” he said.
The PNP started establishing checkpoints on Sunday to enforce the gun ban and ensure a safe and peaceful elections on May 9.
The Comelec checkpoints were set up in every city and municipality nationwide which will be jointly manned by police and military personnel.