The Central Luzon Police Regional Office intensifies its checkpoint operations to curb illegal firearms and prevent election-related violence ahead of the 2025 national and local elections. (Police Regional Office 3)
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO, Pampanga (PIA) —The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has placed 14 areas in Central Luzon under heightened monitoring as election areas of concern ahead of the 2025 national and local elections.
These areas include eight in Nueva Ecija, two each in Pampanga and Bulacan, and one each in Aurora and Bataan.
The classification is based on factors such as intense political rivalry and the presence of private armed groups that could potentially disrupt the electoral process.
With this, Comelec 3 Assistant Regional Elections Director Elmo Duque assured the public that all necessary measures are in place to ensure smooth and secure elections.
These preparations include extensive training for election personnel, deployment of security forces, and setting up technical support teams to handle election-related concerns.
In line with these efforts, the Central Luzon Police Regional Office has ramped up its checkpoint operations to curb illegal firearms and prevent election-related violence.
With these, Regional Public Information Office Chief Police Major Aileen Rose Stanger calls for public cooperation in its checkpoint operations, stressing that checkpoints are essential in monitoring potential threats, intercepting illegal firearms, and deterring criminal activities that could disrupt the elections.
“With that, we ask the public, especially our motorists, to be patient and cooperative. These checkpoints are in place to ensure the safety of our communities and prevent any election-related violence,” she said.
From January 12 to March 4, 2025, police operations in Central Luzon resulted in the confiscation of 205 firearms, four explosives, and 718 ammunition.
Among the seized firearms were 107 units of .38 revolvers, 22 units of .45 caliber guns, 22 units of 9mm guns, two rifles, one shotgun, one .40 caliber gun, and 50 other types of firearms.
Authorities also apprehended one uniformed personnel, seven security guards, and 202 civilians who failed to present the necessary licenses at checkpoints.
In addition, authorities assure the public that strict security protocols, including monitoring of election hotspots, will be continuously enforced to maintain peace and order throughout the election period. (CLJD/MJSC, PIA Region 3-Pampanga)
