HPG explains checkpoint protocols

CEBU, Philippines — The Highway Patrol Group (HPG) has explained why motorcycle riders are flagged down the most at checkpoints compared to four-wheeled vehicles due to “plain view doctrine.”

 In an executive session last Wednesday, the Cebu City Council summoned the HPG officials to lay down the specific guidelines in conducting checkpoints following several complaints from various organizations of motorcycle riders about a perceived bias of law enforcers against them.

 Police Captain Clifton Gairanod, Cebu City HPG chief, said that checkpoints are strategically positioned as measures to deter criminal activities. The Land Transportation and Traffic Code (RA 4136) provides legal basis for traffic law enforcement, including the authority of police to stop vehicles for inspection.

Gairanod also cited Supreme Court rulings, which establish constitutional limits on checkpoints, emphasizing the need for reasonable suspicion and minimizing inconvenience to citizens. He stated that they are governed by Operational Guidelines, which include clear protocols, citizen rights, and community engagement.

During the discussion, Councilor Pastor Alcover, Jr. sought clarification on the prohibition against four-wheel drivers stepping out of their vehicles, while motorcycle riders were required to dismount and open their utility boxes.

Gairanod clarified that motorcycle riders were not asked to dismount but had to do it voluntarily because their driver’s licenses are usually stored inside their utility boxes.

“Dili kami ang nagpakanaog sa mga motorista, sila mismo ang ninaog,” said Gairanod.

According to Gairanod, motorcycle riders are flagged down the most because any traffic violation committed by them can be seen on plain sight. He said that checkpoint personnel can quickly assess violations based on what they see.

Gairanod explained that they observe the most violations among motorcycle riders, such as the non-use of helmets, which does not apply to four-wheeled vehicles. He also mentioned that they frequently see the absence of safety gear. According to

Aside from this, motorcycle riders also tend to be evasive at checkpoints raising suspicions about their compliance with required documents and gear.

“Motor sad kasagaran ang mostly gamit sa mga riding-in-tandem and kawat, mostly ang mga kawatan di man na mang gamit og four wheels kung mangawat,” said Gairanod.

Jovanni Lumayno, a representative of Cebu City’s Habal-Habal Association, appeared before the council and raised an issue of the alleged selective enforcement of the law and the several checkpoints.

Lumayno shared his personal experience wherein he was allegedly flagged down in three separate checkpoints in one night. He also stressed that even before the Comelec-manned checkpoints they have already observed that regular police checkpoints were only zeroing in on motorcycle riders.

He shared that there was even an incident where he witnessed another rider being subjected to a body search, which confused him, as they were not informed that such searches would be included at checkpoints. He also mentioned that some individuals were instructed to open their utility boxes.

“Among pangutana, mandate ba gyud na sa balaod nga ablihan ang ubox? Kapkapan kung gikinahanglan labi na sa atoang panahon karon nga delikado,” he said.

In line with the discussion, Alcover sought clarity on the fairness of the guidelines being imposed at checkpoints between four-wheeled vehicles and motorcycles. (CEBU NEWS)