The Office of the City Election Officer, together with personnel from various law enforcement agencies, started the Red Teaming Operations to enhance security measures for the upcoming May 12, 2025 National and Local Elections and the Parliamentary Elections in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM).
As the election period began, the Commission on Elections Puerto Princesa City (City Comelec) established checkpoints in strategic areas around the city at midnight on Saturday as part of the nationwide implementation of Comelec checkpoints.
Puerto Princesa City Police Office Deputy City Director for Operations, Lt. Col. Aristotle Castillo, said during the start of the operation that they will establish checkpoints in nine strategic areas around the city. These will be manned by personnel from various city police stations, the Coast Guard Station Central Palawan, the PNP Highway Patrol Group, and the 3rd Marine Brigade.
City Election Officer Atty. Julius Cuevas also conducted an inspection of the various areas on Sunday morning to ensure the smooth operation of the checkpoints.
Castillo said that, as per the guidance of Provincial Election Supervisor Atty. Percival Mendoza during the first Provincial Joint Security Control Center meeting last January 8, operatives manning checkpoints will strictly adhere to the guidelines for establishing and operating checkpoints. He also reminded personnel to observe proper conduct and appearance, maintain a high level of security awareness, and remain vigilant at all times.
“Number one talaga na ini-implement natin is yung gun ban. Pero hindi lang naman iligal na baril but also other illegal contrabands or other deadly weapons na ipinagbabawal,” he said.
Castillo likewise reminded the public to cooperate with authorities and to “bear with us dito sa kaunting abala, but for the safety naman ito ng lahat.”
Cuevas, on the other hand, emphasized the importance of strictly enforcing election-related policies, particularly the gun ban, to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
He further reminded checkpoint personnel to uphold the guidelines provided by Comelec while respecting human rights in their operations.
