Military to augment checkpoints in election hotspots

From ABS-CBN (Jan 13): Military to augment checkpoints in election hotspots

The military will help augment checkpoints, especially in election hotspots across the country, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said. The National Firearms Control Program started on Sunday ahead of the 2013 polls. "As mandated protectors of the people, it is our responsibility to act as exemplars by serving as agents of peace and security especially in this political exercise. Let us continue our active support to the Philippine National Police and other mandated civilian government agencies to ensure safe and peaceful conduct of 2013 elections," AFP Chief of Staff General Jessie Dellosa said in a statement.

The AFP, via the Joint Peace and Security Coordinating Centers program with the Philippine National Police, will also help in the dismantling of private armed groups and organized crime groups. The AFP also promised that soldiers and members of the paramilitary will strictly follow the firearm control program. Based on rules, regular members of the AFP, CAFGU Active Auxiliaries, and Special CAFGU Active Auxiliaries are authorized to bear firearms given that they strictly adhere to the following provisions:


1. Wearing AFP-prescribed uniforms with visible names and rank;
2. Going to and from or in actual performance of official duty; and
3. The firearm is governed with appropriate documents.


http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/01/13/13/military-augment-checkpoints-election-hotspots