We came back from Pioduran Albay on Sunday, January 10. We have been visiting family and celebrated the 95th birthday of my father-in-law and my own 60th birthday.
Check for a report from this celebration HERE
While travelling back to Manila in our car we were surprised by being checked at special checkpoints by the police and military. At the first point where we were checked, we have asked what was the cause of this checkpoint. We were explained that is was to implement a law order to ban guns. All this because of the coming elections in May.
Check for a news report about this HERE.
The full text of this resolution of Comelec can be read HERE
All together we have passed several checkpoints but we were stopped only four times. All checkpoints were manned with police officers of the PNP and some military people, all armed with rifles and guns.
At several checkpoints we were not stopped and could continue our trip. It only took us some extra time to pass those point because of the traffic and slow passing vehicles at those points. At the places where we were checked the officer looked into the car and wanted to see the inside of the glove department. That was all.
The official guidelines for checking procedures are published also in newspapers and internet.
The Philippines has installed this kind of checkpoints before, like the ones in 2003-2004, for the elections of May 10, 2004.
The checkpoints seem to work well because on a few places were arrested some people, and not only against the gun ban.
The official reason for implementing these checks is that the Philippine Government wants this coming elections not to be disturbed in any case and these elections to be the calmest ones ever.
Filipino time:
Hi Jan, first of all Happy Birthday to you, I’m catching up with you, I will be 58 next month. And congratulations to your father-in-law. Wow! 95 years!
I’ll have to see if we have any checkpoints when we go shopping to Iloilo City. I don’t expect to see any in our little province of Guimaras, but you never know. At least I will know what’s going on if I see one.
Hi Dave,
Congratulations to you and Melinda too. It’s your 10th wedding anniversary today.
I just read your post about it HERE
(this link is for visitors of my site who want to see your blog)
Thanks for the birthday wishes. I will pass them on to my father-in-law too.
We had a nice birthday celebration in the province. Pioduran, Albay can be compared to Jordan, Guimares. It is also a little bit a remote area, with lots of wild vegetation. It is a fishing village and sends lots of fish to Manila.
PNP-Comelec checkpoints are seen on high ways on strategic places where already the usual checkpoints are. Only now there is a white banner saying it is a PNP-Comelec checkpoint.