COTABATO CITY (MindaNews / 18 Feb) — The police have requested the Bangsamoro Transition Authority (BTA) to pass a law granting them authority to search all vehicles, including those of influential individuals and politicians, at checkpoints. This comes amid challenges in addressing the proliferation of loose firearms and rampant shooting incidents in the region. Brig. Gen. Romeo Macapaz, Police Regional Office – Bangsamoro Autonomous Region (PRO-BAR) chief, stated that a letter was submitted to the BTA before the election period began, but the request was not addressed due to the BTA’s recess. Under Philippine laws, authorities at checkpoints can only conduct visual searches unless there is probable cause. Macapaz emphasized that police face difficulties, particularly with influential individuals who refuse to open their vehicles during the gun ban. He noted that cultural and social factors in BARMM have normalized firearm possession as a means of protection and status, requiring extensive community engagement to change this mindset. BARMM remains a top area of concern for security in the upcoming elections, with PRO-BAR recording 87 shooting incidents since the start of the year and monitoring 143 areas of concern. The PRO-BAR has requested an additional 3,000 personnel to secure polling precincts and has intensified efforts such as daily patrols, CCTV installation at border controls, and deploying maneuvering forces to high-crime areas. (Ferdinandh Cabrera / MindaNews)
