The Commission on Election (Comelec) said its checkpoint rules for the start of the election period on Sunday will not apply in Mindanao.
Comelec spokesperson James B. Jimenez explained this was because there are already existing checkpoints in Mindanao since it is still under Martial Law.
“The checkpoints that are already operating in Mindanao have there own set of guidelines. We will not superimpose [the rules] of the checkpoints there,” Jimenez said.
Last month, Congress approved to extend the effect of Martial Law in Mindanao up to Dec. 31, 2019 due existing security concerns in the area.
The area was first placed under Martial Law on May 23, 2017 after Marawi City was attacked by a terrorist group.
Limited inspection
Jimenez said they will start placing checkpoints specific parts of the country on Sunday with start of the election period.
He said the checkpoints have to be situated in a well-lit area and manned by police in proper uniform.
A “plain view doctrine” will also be exercised in the checkpoints.
“That means if something is in plain view and it arouses reasonable suspicion then the police can do something other than look but otherwise they could only look,” Jimenez said.
He said they will be coming out with an advisory on the checkpoint rules, which they will release to the public.
Banned activities
With the looming implementation of the election period, Comelec said election prohibitions will also finally take effect in line with Comelec Resolution 10429.
These include prohibitions on alteration of territory of a precinct or establishment of a new precinct; transfer or movement of officers and employees in the civil service; organization or maintenance of reaction forces or other similar forces; and suspension of elective local officials.
Also to be banned during the even is the bearing and carrying of firearms and other deadly weapons as well as the use of security personnel or body guards by candidates.
Comelec, however, may grant exemptions to qualified applicants for both rules.
Jimenez stressed a individual must apply to Comelec before they could be given the exemption.
Election fever
Comelec said voters should also brace themselves during the weekend from being bombarded with more campaign materials from candidates.
“The election period is the official start of the election fever…a lot of politicians will start taking advantage of this particular time if they haven’t been already doing so,” Jimenez said.
“It is still outside of the campaign period. Which means they still have about a month’s time before they could actually be regulated,” he added.
The poll official said while they are against the practice since the campaign period has not started, it is not considered illegal due to a loophole in the law on premature campaigning.