SAN FERNANDO CITY, La Union (PIA) — The Police Regional Office (PRO) 1, La Union Police Provincial Office (LUPPO), and the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) 1 held a checkpoint operation at Brgy. Pagdalagan here on Jan. 12.
This is part of the enforcement of the election gun ban for the 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) and Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections.
The activity began at 8:00 AM and was part of a nationwide effort to ensure public safety during the election period.
A total of 20 checkpoints will be set up across all 20 towns of La Union, and these will remain in place until June 11, the final day of the gun ban implementation.
The checkpoint aimed to enforce the prohibition on carrying firearms and other deadly weapons in public spaces, including streets, parks, buildings, and vehicles, unless authorized by the COMELEC.
Other checkpoints were also set up across key areas in Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and Pangasinan.
During the duration of the gun ban checkpoints, approximately 1,200 police personnel will be deployed across the region, with each officer working two-hour shifts to allow them to attend to other responsibilities.
In a statement during the operation, PRO 1 Regional Director PBGEN Lou Evangelista expressed satisfaction with the implementation of the checkpoint, noting that the operation ensures the safety of the public during this critical period.
“We are deploying our police to prevent any untoward incident in this election period. Our target is to have peaceful and honest elections,” Evangelista said.
Under Sections 32 and 33 of Republic Act No. 7166, violations of the gun ban, unless authorized in writing by the COMELEC, are punishable by imprisonment of one to six years, permanent disqualification from public office, and loss of the right to vote.
Only regular members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and other law enforcement agencies authorized by the Commission can carry firearms during this period.
Exemptions from the gun ban
Additionally, the following officials are fully exempt from the gun ban:
- President, Vice President, Senate President, Senators, House Speaker, and Members of the House of Representatives;
- Chief Justice, Associate Justices of the Supreme Court;
- Cabinet officials like Secretaries, Undersecretaries, and Assistant Secretaries;
- Judges and justices from various courts (e.g., Court of Appeals, Sandiganbayan, Regional Trial Courts);
- Members of the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) and related positions; and
- Officials from the Civil Service Commission, Commission on Audit, and Commission on Human Rights.
Foreign nationals found in violation are also subject to deportation following the completion of their prison sentence.
San Fernando City Acting Election Officer Atty. Franeli Jessa Jaramilla, meanwhile, highlighted the various prohibitions imposed under the law as part of the COMELEC gun ban for this year’s elections.
“The prohibitions during the election period include carrying, bearing, or transporting firearms and other deadly weapons. This includes grenades and ammunition,” Jaramilla said.
Local residents also expressed their support for the operation, acknowledging the importance of maintaining peace during the elections.
Benjamin Diagan Jr., a resident of Brgy. Pagdalagan expressed his support for the checkpoint operations, noting that the visible presence of authorities has made the community feel safer.
“There is a need for everyone to be aware of the prohibitions under the law to achieve peace during the election period,” Diagan Jr. said.
The checkpoints are part of a security effort to prevent election-related violence and ensure public order.
Reporting gun ban violations
Authorities also emphasized the importance of reporting any suspicious activities or violations of the gun ban to authorities.
To report gun ban violations, residents can contact the Philippine National Police (PNP) through these channels:
- Hotline: Dial 117 for quick assistance.
- Website: Submit reports via the PNP’s official website at https://pnp.gov.ph/.
- Social Media: Send messages to the PRO 1’s official Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/PulistiRehiyonUNO or the LUPPO at https://www.facebook.com/launionpoliceprovincialofficeofficial.
These channels are open 24/7 for reporting suspicious activities or violations.
As the election period progresses, the police and the COMELEC will continue to implement measures designed to safeguard the integrity of the 2025 elections and ensure that the public remains safe and protected throughout the process. (AMB/CCMT, PIA La Union)
