BANGUED, Abra PIA) — The Commission on Election (COMELEC)-Abra reported that 38 COMELEC checkpoints were established across the province at the start of election period on January 12, 2025.
During the Provincial Joint Security Control Center reactivation meeting, Bangued Municipal Election Officer (EO) Atty. Reyman Solbita conveyed important reminders on how to approach said checkpoints.
All motorists and vehicle operators are reminded to reduce speed, dim their lights and turn on their cabin lights upon approaching the checkpoint.
“The most basic rule sa COMELEC checkpoints natin ay visual search only unless it falls in the exceptions under the warrantless search. No person or occupant of the vehicle shall be subjected to physical or body search,” Solbita stressed.
“The public is also not obliged to open the compartment, the trunk or the bags inside the vehicle,” he added.
Solbita reminded that police officers might ask routine questions in checkpoints, which must be answered politely to avoid raising any suspicion.
Likewise, the COMELEC reiterated to police officers manning the checkpoints to always practice courtesy and exercise professionalism.
“The general rule is that you can only search if you’re armed with a search warrant issued by the authority or the judge,” Solbita reminded.
However, Solbita explained that police officers may enforce a warrantless search under circumstances mentioned in the guidelines such as suspicious occupants of the vehicle, reasonable and probable cause to believe that the occupants are law offenders, among others.
He reiterated that all violations and incidents during a COMELEC checkpoint must be reported to the EO within 24 hours.
The Abra Police urged the public to cooperate and support during the implementation of the COMELEC checkpoints. (JDP/CAGT, PIA-CAR, Abra)
