Joint security coordinating center for BSKE activated

CEBU, Philippines —  The Provincial Joint Security Coordinating Center, led by provincial election officer Atty. Edwin Cadungog, has been activated two days before the start of the election period for the Barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections.

Members of the joint security coordinating center met yesterday to discuss the preparations for the upcoming elections.

Police Major Nolan Tagsip, spokesperson of Cebu Police Provincial Office, said one of the highlights of the meeting was the joint action of the unified law enforcement agencies to ensure a peaceful and successful conduct of the elections.

The CPPO also announced that they will start implementing the Comelec gun ban on Monday, August 28, 2023. Tagsip said the public can expect simultaneous police checkpoints in the province starting on Monday.

“Tanang lungsod expected anang midnight nga mag conduct og simultaneous checkpoint,” said Tagsip.

He said that all permits to carry firearms outside residence will be suspended during the election period. Those who have serious security threats may apply for exemption from the Comelec’s gun ban committee.

Part of the police’s security preparations is the strengthening of the campaign against loose firearms. In fact, the CPPO has implemented 40 search warrants from August 15 to 22 that resulted in the arrest of 31 individuals.

The One Time Big Time Operation under the anti-criminality campaign of the Philippine National Police and Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) targets syndicated crimes, wanted persons, loose firearms, and illegal drugs.

The week-long operations that resulted in the confiscation of various types of firearms were conducted in Argao, Asturias, Barili, Bogo, Balamban, Carmen, Danao City, Malabuyoc, Pinamungahan, City of Naga, San Fernando, Samboan, Santander, Tudela, Daanbantayan, Compostela, Tabuelan, Dumanjug, Oslob, Poro, Alcantara, and Minglanilla.

Among the firearms seized are 18 pieces of caliber .38 revolvers, 6 pcs of caliber .45 pistols, 2 pcs of .357 revolvers, 2 pcs of .22 revolvers, a 9mm revolver, 9mm pistol, a .22 rifle, and several rounds of assorted ammunition.

“This is a prevention, kabalo naman ta basic role sa PNP is for crime prevention and crime solution…Karon pa lang ato nang gi-prevent daan through implementation of search warrant,” said Tagsip.