The Commission on Elections (Comelec) will start setting up checkpoints by Saturday, January 11, and implement the gun ban in connection with the May 2025 midterm elections.
Comelec chairman George Erwin Garcia on Monday said the checkpoints, to be manned by police and military personnel, will ensure the implementation of the election gun ban nationwide.
The poll body appealed to motorists to cooperate with police and military authorities and assured them that “plain view doctrine” will be observed.
This means motorists need only to lower their windows and turn on the lights inside their vehicles when passing through the checkpoints.
“Actually, the election period begins January 11 until June 12, which means that is also the duration of the checkpoint,” he added.
Only visual search is allowed at the checkpoint and motorists are not required to open their glove compartments, trunks and bags.
Persons who will violate the gun ban will be arrested by authorities.
