Public urged to file complaints

MANDAUE CHECKPOINTS

The Police Regional Office in Central Visayas (PRO-7) will check on allegations of irregularities in the manner of conducting checkpoints by the Mandaue City Police Office (MCPO).

In a press conference, Monday, PRO-7 director Chief Supt. Debold Sinas said that he will talk to MCPO officials to clarify complaints reaching Cebu Daily News against alleged irregular procedures used by Mandaue policemen during the checkpoints.

“Actually request lang naman to kung puwede pa ipagawas or abrihon ilang dashboards (Actually police only request motorists if they could take out things or open their dashboards),” said Sinas.

Commuters and motorists in Mandaue City have questioned why Mandaue policemen ask them to disembark from their jeepneys, open their bags, and show the contents of their pockets.

Based on PNP operational guidelines, the following are the do’s and don’ts for motorists during a police checkpoint:

• Checkpoint must be well-lighted, properly identified, and manned by uniformed personnel.

• Upon approach, slow down, dim headlights, and turn on cabin lights. Never step out of the vehicle.

• Lock all doors. Only visual search is allowed.

• Do not submit to a physical or body search.

• You are not obliged to open glove compartment, trunk or bags.

• Ordinary/Routine questions may be asked. Be courteous but firm with answers.

• Assert your rights, have presence of mind and do not panic.

• Keep your driver’s license and car registration handy and within reach.

• Be ready to use your cellphone at anytime. Speed Dial emergency number.

• Report violations immediately. Your actions may save others.

Sinas said that while police cannot force motorists to open their bags, they can be requested to do so by police.

“There are those who are being properly requested by the police but because they are irritated with cops, they make up stories against them,” said Sinas in Cebuano.

For his part, MCPO spokesperson Chief Insp. Mercy Villaro assured that Mandaue policemen have been reminded of proper procedures in conducting checkpoints.

He said the cops were also told to be courteous towards motorcycle drivers at all times during inspection even on instances when there are reports that the vehicle carried contraband such as illegal drugs.

Villaro said that no formal complaint has yet been filed against MCPO for the alleged irregularities during checkpoints.

File a complaint

Mandaue City Mayor Luigi Quisumbing called on those who feel that their rights had been violated by MCPO to file a complaint against erring policemen before MCPO, RPO-7 or other appropriate agencies such as the Commission on Human Rights and the National Police Commission (Napolcom) even though he found no problem in MCPO’s manner of conducting checkpoints.

“The police in MCPO have shown for two years that they are incredibly professional and vigilant about their action to ensure that what they did was in accordance with the law,” Quisumbing said.

“If there are questions by the CHR and any other agencies, I am sure that MCPO and PNP will address that,” the mayor added.