Lacson: Checkpoints are here, remember your rights

Lacson: Checkpoints are here, remember your rights

Partido Reporma chairman and standard-bearer Panfilo ‘Ping’ Lacson advised civilians Monday to always know their rights now that the government has begun implementing checkpoints nationwide due to heightened restrictions amid the lingering pandemic and the start of the election period.

In a statement, Lacson issued some easy-to-remember guidelines for everyone to consider when passing by these checkpoints and how to deal with law enforcement authorities tasked to implement additional security protocols.

“Checkpoints must be well-lighted, properly identified, and manned by uniformed personnel wearing masks and other protective gears. Upon approach, slowdown, dim the headlights of your car, and turn on interior lights. Wear your mask properly. Never step out of the vehicle,” Lacson said.

Lacson said security officers would normally ask standard questions to citizens under these circumstances. He advised the general public to always be “honest, courteous and firm” when giving their answers.

Routine questions that may be asked include points of departure and destination, address, and whether they have been vaccinated against COVID-19. It is, therefore, important for citizens to bring their vaccination card at all times and present it to the law enforcement officer if necessary.

Most importantly, Lacson reminded Filipinos to “report violations immediately.” This is to protect the individual rights of citizens against security personnel, who might abuse their authority while manning these checkpoints.

The heightened security protocols through checkpoints and the re-imposition of a nationwide gun ban will last for five months per Commission on Elections (COMELEC) guidelines. This is to prevent cases of election-related violence, which traditionally happen during the campaign period.

Lacson, an incumbent senator and former chief of the Philippine National Police, is making his second presidential bid in the upcoming 2022 national elections under Partido Reporma. He is running in tandem with Senate President Vicente ‘Tito’ Sotto III of the Nationalist People’s Coalition (NPC).

Lacson, Sotto, their respective political parties and allies earlier expressed and are delivering on their commitments to cooperate with both our public and law enforcement authorities for the orderly conduct of their nationwide campaigns leading up to the polls on May 9, 2022.

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