Cops considering 24-hour nationwide checkpoint operations

Expecting a surge in violence and crime as the Oct. 25 elections and the Christmas season draw closer, the Philippine National Police is studying implementing a 24-hour nationwide checkpoint operations. PNP chief Director General Raul Bacalzo noted the checkpoints for the Oct. 25 elections have yielded positive results so far, according to a report by radio dzBB’s Benjie Liwanag Jr. However, Bacalzo did not say when the 24-hour checkpoint operations will start. Bacalzo said they briefly tried the 24-hour checkpoint system in some areas earlier this week and came up with “positive results," such as confiscating several firearms. The PNP is presently conducting checkpoint operations mainly at night to enforce a gun ban ordered by the Commission on Elections for the barangay (village) and Sangguniang Kabataan (youth council) elections on Oct. 25. On the other hand, Bacalzo said that even after the Oct. 25 elections, they may still need the checkpoints to curb crimes related to the coming Christmas season. — LBG, GMANews.TV