PNP chief orders 'random' checkpoints

MANILA, Philippines - Philippine National Police chief Director General Alan Purisima on Monday told policemen to set up checkpoints at random and refrain from announcing these locations to the media to prevent criminals from taking advantage.

Police started the setting up of checkpoints with the enforcement of the gun ban on Sunday. The gun ban is being implemented to reduce poll-related violence for the May 13 elections.

Purisima also reminded police officers assigned in checkpoints to observe standard operating procedures, including wearing full uniform and conducting checkpoints in well lighted areas to allow motorists to read the signage and see the policemen.

Purisima also said the gun ban meant that all permits to carry firearms outside of residence are "suspended".

Only members of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines and the National Bureau of Investigation "who are in uniform and on duty will be allowed to carry firearms outside their residences."

On Friday, the PNP announced that it would set up more checkpoints all over the country to implement the nationwide gun ban.

The order came in the wake of the killing of 13 people at a supposed checkpoint area in Quezon province. Earlier results of the police's fact-finding body showed that the killing of the 13 people was a result of a rubout, not shootout as earlier claimed by the operatives involved in the operation.