ODIONGAN, Romblon (PIA) — The Romblon Police Provincial Office (PPO) implemented synchronized COMELEC checkpoints starting at 12:01 a.m. on Sunday, January 12, 2025.
Led by Romblon PPO director, Police Colonel Rexton F. Sawi, this initiative was designed to ensure a safe and peaceful election period in preparation for the May 2025 National and Local Elections (NLE) and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM) Parliamentary Elections.
Sawi emphasized that the checkpoints aim to address potential threats and maintain peace during elections proactively. To maximize efficiency, police stations across Romblon implemented an alternate overlapping system of rotating 24/7 checkpoints within their designated clusters.
Romblon upheld its reputation as one of the most peaceful provinces in the region, with no recorded election-related incidents in past polls, based on data from the Provincial Election Monitoring and Action Center (PEMAC).
“We were committed to ensuring the safety of our citizens and the integrity of the elections. The COMELEC checkpoints remained in effect to maintain peace and order throughout the election season,” Sawi said in a press release.

Also, the election gun ban, under COMELEC Resolution No. 11069 and R.A. No. 7166, took effect from January 12 and will last until June 11, 2025. The resolution prohibited the bearing, carrying, or transporting of firearms or deadly weapons unless specifically authorized by the Commission.
The Romblon PNP urged residents to comply with the checkpoint protocols and gun ban regulations to contribute to the peaceful conduct of the elections.
Should there be inquiries, the citizens are encouraged to contact their local police stations or the Romblon PPO. (PJF/PIA MIMAROPA-Romblon)