Personnel of the Manila Police District attend a briefing and ceremonial send-off on Jan. 11, 2025 as they prepare to put up checkpoints for the 2025 election period. Kaxandra Salonga, ABS-CBN News

MANILA — The Manila Police District (MPD) on Saturday held a ceremonial send off for its personnel who will be deployed to Commission on Elections checkpoints for the 2025 election period.

Police Brig.Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, MPD director, said 14 checkpoints will be put up around Manila to maintain public safety and order during the election period, which officially begins on Sunday, January 12.

“Inipon namin ang aming mga tauhan dito sa Manila Police District para magpaalala kung ano ang mga dapat nilang gawin at gampanin para sa darating na eleksyon, lalo na sa mga ine-establish nating checkpoints,” Ibay said.

(We have gathered the police officers to remind them what their tasks and duties are in the coming elections, especially at the checkpoints we will establish)

He added that heightened security protocols will be implemented when the nationwide gun ban starts on Sunday.

“Alam naman natin na mataas ang insidente ng gun-related violence tuwing eleksyon. Isa itong paraan para mabawasan ang ganitong mga insidente,” he said.

(We know that there is a high incidence of gun-related violence during elections. This is one way to prevent those kinds of incidents)

Police Brig.Gen. Arnold Thomas Ibay, MPD director, addresses personnel on Jan. 11, 2025 a day before the election season officially starts. Kaxandra Salonga, ABS-CBN News 

MANILA MAYOR REMINDS COPS OF CONDUCT AT CHECKPOINTS

In a separate statement, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna said she supports the MPD and Comelec in the implementation of the gun ban and tasked barangay officials to help authorities implement it.

"Bantay-sarado dapat lahat ng main city border roads para hindi makapasok sa Lungsod ng Maynila lahat ng mga dayong kriminal at hindi rin makalabas ang sinumang mahuhuling lalabag sa gun ban," she said.

(The city's main border roads shouldbe secured to make sure criminals will not come in and that those caught violating the gun ban cannot easily escape)

She also advised police officers and barangay law enforcement personnel to follow Philippine National Police and Commission on Human Rights standards at the checkpoints.

These include making sure checkpoints have sufficient lighting and that police personnel have their name plates on treat people they flag down with courtesy.

She also said the police should make sure that their bodycams work and are sufficiently charged.

"Walang exempted. Walang palakasan. Walang pakiusap. Ipatutupad ang batas sa gun ban at sa wastong search, wastong seizure, at wastong warrantless arrests," she said.

(Nobody is exempted. There will be no use of influence and no favors asked or given. The gun ban will be implemented through proper searches, proper seizures, and proper warrantless arrests)

Warrantless arrests are allowed only if law enforcement personnel see that a crime is about to be committed, is being committed, or has just been committed.

Lacuna also advised motorists to make sure their dashboard cameras and similar recording devices work properly. She said these would offer added protection against abuse by law enforcement.

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