SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) – The Police Regional Office 1 (PRO1) ordered all its police stations across the Ilocos Region to conduct intensified checkpoint operations during the weeklong filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) from Oct. 1-8, 2024.
As candidates for the 2025 Midterm Elections began filing their certificates of candidacy today, all police stations have established multiple checkpoints in strategic locations since midnight on Oct. 1.
This is a proactive response to deter criminal activities and ensure adherence to the election-related rules and regulations set by the Commission on Elections (Comelec).
Police Brigadier General Lou Evangelista, PRO1 regional director, said, “We value the significance of this COC filing. We assure the public that we will implement stern and extensive security coverage alongside the heightened activities that surround the election process.”
“Our checkpoint operation is one of our methods in intensifying the security coverage and maintaining public order as we implement Comelec rules and regulations as a neutral and apolitical organization,” he added.
Meanwhile, Evangelista is also conducting ocular inspections and site visits in Comelec offices to ensure the peaceful filing of candidacy.
Red teams were also deployed in different provinces to evaluate the operational readiness of Philippine National Police personnel deployed in checkpoints.
The filing of certificates of candidacy (COCs) in the Philippines has traditionally served as a ceremonial opening of the election season that will only peak, sometimes violently, in the coming months until election day.
COCs will be filed in the Offices of Provincial Election Supervisor for those running for governors, vice governors, and provincial board members.
The Offices of the Election Officer, meanwhile, shall receive the COCs for candidates for mayors, vice mayors, and councilors.
The COC filing would run from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Oct. 8.
The campaign period for national candidates (senator and party-list group) will start on Feb. 11, 2025, while for those running for local posts (members of the House of Representatives, parliamentary, provincial, city, and municipal officials), the campaign period will start on March 28, 2025.
The campaign period will run until May 10, 2025. (AMB/PIA Region 1)
