Members of the Philippine National Police conduct a Comelec checkpoint in Sta. Ana, Manila on October 27, 2023, days before the BSKE 2023 elections. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

MANILA — Commission on Elections (Comelec) chairman George Garcia on Friday reminded the public that the election period and nationwide gun ban would kick off midnight of January 12, with heightened security protocols set to be implemented. 

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"Simultaneous [sa buong bansa] bukas ng gabi (January 12) at 12 midnight. Ang election period ay Enero 12. Meron na tayong gun ban," Garcia told Teleradyo Serbisyo.

Election period and the implementation of gun ban is from Jan. 12 to June 11, 2025.

As in previous elections, checkpoints would be established in parts of the country as the gun ban takes effect.

On Thursday, the Comelec identified 38 areas of "grave concern" or those under its "red category."

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Garcia said the list of areas under red category may still change as the election nears.

"May posibilidad na yung 38 na nasa BARMM ay bumaba... May posibilidad din na 'yung 38 ay madadagdagan dahil yung mga nasa orange category, yellow category o kahit 'yung green category areas ay biglang nagiging red," he said.

THINGS TO REMEMBER ON CHECKPOINTS

Garcia said that all the checkpoints would be under the supervision of the poll body. 

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"Ang lahat ng checkpoint ay under supervision ng Comelec," he said.

"Yung mga in-charge sa check point, PNP, AFP, sila ay limited lang sa plain view search," Garcia added.

The Comelec chief also said that checkpoints must be in well-lit areas.

Garcia said that inspecting officers cannot order motorists to alight their vehicles unless there is prior information of possible illegal activity.

"Hindi pwedeng magpabukas ng kung-ano-ano sa sasakyan ninyo. Hindi pwedeng pababain maliban na lang kung may prior information sila patungkol dun sa ise-search na sasakyan o tao," he said.

"[Pero] walang masama kung ibababa ang bintana," he added.

 Garcia said that the during checkpoints, the rights of the passengers should be upheld "at all cost."

"At all cost, yung karapatan ng mga mamamayan ang priority sa checkpoint," he said.

The Philippines will hold its midterm elections on May 12, 2025.

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