Members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippines National Police (PNP) or any peace officer are prohibited to enter any polling place or stay within a radius of 50 meters, except to cast their votes.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) said this Sunday, stressing that the May 10, 2010 elections is strictly a civilian affair.

Aside from peace officers, the Comelec said also covered by the prohibition are any armed person belonging to any extra-legal police agency, special forces, reaction forces, strike forces, Civilian Armed Forces Geographical Units (CAFGU), barangay tanods or other similar forces or para-military forces, including security guards, special policemen, and all other kinds of armed or unarmed extra-legal police forces.

This means that only Board of Election Inspectors (BEI) members and their support staff, watchers, Comelec representatives, technical support staff, voters casting their votes, other persons authorized by the Comelec, voters waiting for their turn to vote, and other persons authorized by the Comelec are allowed inside the polling precincts.

But the Comelec said that if necessary, the BEI, by a majority vote, may order in writing the detail of a policeman or any peace officer for its protection or for the protection of the election documents and paraphernalia.

The policeman or peace officer whose detail is requested by the BEI is required to stay outside the polling place near enough to be easily called by the BEI anytime.

“In no case shall said policeman or peace officer, hold any conversation with any voter or disturb or prevent in any manner obstruct the free access of the voters to the polling place,” the Comelec said.

Metro checkpoints Meanwhile, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) said Sunday the setting up of 70 checkpoints all over Metro Manila proved to be effective, calling the first day of the implementation of the total gun ban set by the Comelec in preparation for the holding of the May 10 election a success.

NCRPO Director Roberto Rosales said during the first day of implementation of the total gun ban, they were able to arrest nine persons consisting of three members of the Philippine National Police (PNP), one from the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), one government official and four civilians.

Rosales said those apprehended at checkpoints set up in different places in Metro Manila were PO1 Dennis Quinto, PO1 Aldrin Almazan and SPO1 William Ronquillo of the PNP; SIBM Michael Bashan of the AFP; and Atty. Tecson Jhon Lin, provincial director of Quirino province. The four apprehended civilians were identified as Ernan Perez, Leopoldo Francisco, Juan Carlos Maglague and Rogel Gutierrez.

He said the first day of the implementation of the total gun ban was supervised by Atty. Michael Dioneda, National Capital Regional Election Officer; and Col. Lorenzon Sumicad, deputy commander of the AFP. They joined police and military units in conducting inspection on checkpoints set up in all five districts of Metro Manila.

The NCRPO chief said 30 election officers and 166 members of National Capital Regional Command (NCRCom) personnel were deployed in five districts of Metro Manila to help in manning the checkpoints.

Rosales said that during the checkpoint inspections, he reminded the PNP personnel to strictly follow PNP regulations and observe and respect the human rights of motorists and the public in enforcing the gun ban.

He also directed them to observe the “plain view” doctrine and reminded the police to be always courteous because the success of the gun ban will pave way for the holding of peaceful and credible election.

The NCRPO chief echoed an earlier statement of PNP chief, Director General Jesus Versoza that most cases of election-related violence in previous elections were perpetrated through the use of firearms.

Based on the guidelines approved by the Comelec, at least one checkpoint will have to be set up in each of the cities and municipalities across the country, to be manned by policemen and soldiers under the supervision of poll officials.

The police will set up at least two more in areas with previous records of election-related violence and where they have monitored the presence of loose firearms and private armed groups. (With a report from Jean Fernando)