CEBU CITY – Gearing up for this year's national and local elections, the Police Regional Office-Central Visayas (PRO 7) has intensified the conduct of checkpoints and anti-criminality campaigns in the region.
Police Brig. Gen. Roque Eduardo Vega, chief of PRO 7, said checkpoints will be conducted regularly from January 9 until June 8.
"Checkpoints will be conducted in strategic locations in the region and strictly prohibit the carrying or transport of firearms or other deadly weapons by unauthorized persons," said Vega.
Vega relayed that together with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and Commission on Elections (Comelec), police regional offices have been instructed to intensify anti-criminality and police operations against loose firearms, deadly weapons, unauthorized security personnel, private armed groups (PAGs), and other lawless criminals during the election period.
The Philippine National Police has suspended the validity of all Permit To Carry Firearms Outside Residence (PTCFOR) issued to licensed firearm holders, juridical entities, and members of government law enforcement agencies under the Comelec Resolution No. 10728.
Under the resolution, the issuance of the firearms licenses shall be suspended during the election period while the exemption to this are regular members of the PNP, AFP as well as members of other law enforcement agencies provided that they are in uniform and are performing official duties.
Violation of the resolution shall be penalized with imprisonment of not less than one year but not more than six months and shall not be subject to probation.
The person found guilty shall suffer disqualification to hold public office and be deprived of the right to vote.