Two private armed groups eyed operating in Pangasinan
THE Pangasinan police bared the existence of two private armed groups operating in the province and are already being closely monitored and targeted for neutralization to ensure the holding of peaceful and orderly May 2016 election.
P/Supt. Ferdinand de Asis, spokesman of the Pangasinan Police Provincial Office, revealed this as he discussed plans during the election period (January 10 – June 8) when the election gun ban would be strictly enforced.
De Asis said that based on the report of the PNP Directorate for Intelligence in Camp Crame, there is one private armed group operating in eastern Pangasinan and another in western Pangasinan.
He told the KBP Forum on January 7 that the members of the two groups have already been identified and they will be arrested as they have standing warrants of arrest issued by the courts.
He added that the police will disband the two private armed groups to ensure that politicians will not use them or their firearms to harass and intimidate voters during the campaign election.
At the same time, he said the Pangasinan PNP already identified Urbiztondo, San Carlos City, Infanta, Agno, Bayambang and Dagupan as among those included in the election ‘watch-list’ (EWAS) based on their history of political violence.
He clarified that Dagupan was included in the EWAS not because of the perceived intense political rivalries of the candidates but because of the violence that may break out between supporters of opposing candidates.
POLICE PROCEDURES
All policemen will be in uniform throughout the election period. The only exemption are those with the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group (CIDG) who may not be in uniform all the times because of the nature of their work.
During the election period, checkpoints will be unscheduled and could be done at any time to neutralize the movement of goons and firearms. Motorists who may be stopped by policemen must have with them their respective licenses and vehicle registration papers always.
In checkpoint operations, no search shall be made by policemen inside the vehicle or compartments of vehicles. In plain view and the ‘no-touch’ policy must be observed always in checkpoint operations. The driver or his passengers need not go down the vehicle too.
Operation Sita will also be intensified to check motorcycle riders and those being flagged down by policemen must stop to show his or her documents.
De Asis said during the election period, their campaign against loose firearms will be reinforced by Oplan Katok that authorizes policemen to check on gun-owners whose licenses have expired and have not been renewed. (Leonardo Micua)
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