NPD tells residents to identify real checkpoints

MANILA, Philippines - The Northern Police District yesterday told the Camanava (Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas, Valenzuela) residents not to be confused between real police checkpoints and those set up by the criminals.

Superintendent Ferdinand del Rosario, NPD intelligence chief, said that the legitimate police checkpoints could easily be distinguished through its location and the persons manning them. 

“A police checkpoint must be set up in a well-lighted area on the main road, with signage and is manned by uniformed cops,” Del Rosario said.

Del Rosario said that apart from these, another important element of the real police checkpoint is the presence of a marked police patrol vehicle.

“Our police officers manning the checkpoints were also advised to always be courteous in doing their job,” Del Rosario said.

On Sunday evening last week, trader Ferdie Zulueta was reportedly robbed of some P8,000 worth of jewelry at a checkpoint along the road of Bagong Silang in Caloocan City North.

He said that at least five robbers who dressed up as policemen flagged down his motorcycle for verification but was surprised when one of the men shot at him but missed. Zulueta escaped and sought help from the real cops.

He said the robbers destroyed his motorcycle seat and took from the compartment his assorted jewelry worth some P8,000.

NPD director Senior Superintendent Edgardo Ladao directed last week District Mobile Force (DMF) chief Superintendent Florendo Quibuyen and the four police chiefs of Camanava to strengthen their respective 24-hour checkpoints as the Commission on Elections (Comelec) declared a gun ban effective Sept. 25.

The Comelec’s declaration was in connection with the Oct. 25 barangay and Sangguniang Kabataan elections. The gun ban would last until Nov. 10.

The Caloocan City police, under Senior Superintendent Jude Santos, were already able to apprehend at least three gun ban violators.

Jail Officer 1 Roderick Mancenito, 31, assigned at the Manila City Jail, and businessman Joselito Malabanan, 44, were apprehended at a checkpoint in between 6th and 7th avenues for carrying .45 caliber pistols without permit from the Comelec.

Senior Police Officer 1 Rodrigo Barnachea Sr., 51, a resident of Sta. Quiteria in Caloocan City North, was apprehended while in the compound of Sta. Quiteria cockpit. A .45 caliber pistol was seized inside his vehicle.

The NPD is doubling its security efforts to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of elections to a total of 255 barangays under its watch.