Checkpoint Guidelines

[artpogi]

From INQ7.net, baka kailanganin natin ito

Guidelines on Metro
checkpoints
Posted: 5:17 AM (Manila Time) | Dec. 22, 2003
Inquirer News Service

(The following are some of the frequently asked questions on checkpoints issued by the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force)

WHY are there checkpoints on Metro Manila roads?


The checkpoints around Metro Manila and the National Capital Region are part of the National Anti-Kidnapping Task Force (NAKTF)-initiated security measures approved by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo to curb kidnapping in the country.

The conduct of the checkpoints, chokepoints and police and military foot patrols shall increase visibility of law enforcement authorities to effectively deter the incidence of kidnapping, particularly in Metro Manila. Checkpoints, in particular, are meant to cut the movement of kidnap-for-ransom groups and other criminals and deny them freedom of movement in the conduct of their activities.

Is my vehicle subject to inspection at checkpoints?

Under the guidelines issued by the NAKTF, there is a high probability that your car will be subjected to inspection. As a general rule, the most likely vehicles to be examined are those that are heavily tinted, those occupied by armed or uniformed individuals, those with suspicious-looking passengers, those carrying a dubious number of occupants, those with irregular identification numbers, those that have special plates and those that have no license plates.

Who are manning these checkpoints?

Checkpoints are jointly manned by police, military and civilian components from the Armed Forces of the Philippines, the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

How do I know if a checkpoint is legitimate?

Legitimate checkpoints shall have proper signage, e.g., "Slow down, NAKTF/PNP Checkpoint." Marked police and military vehicles are parked right beside the checkpoint. Secretary Angelo Reyes, NAKTF chief, has issued specific instructions that all checkpoints should be led by an officer, not lower in rank than a lieutenant or police inspector.

What procedures should I follow when I pass through a checkpoint?

Motorists should slow down, switch headlights off, stop upon signal, roll windows down, switch on cabin lights and submit their vehicles to ocular inspection.

What procedures should I expect from the checkpoint personnel?

Personnel manning the checkpoints have been instructed to be strict, stern but courteous at all times. Motorists will be signaled to slow down, and if necessary, signaled to stop. Further, the motorists will be requested to roll down their windows for a visual search of the vehicle. Personnel manning the checkpoints are also instructed to conduct inspections as briefly as possible to avoid inconveniencing motorists and obstructing the continuous flow of traffic.

What are the limitations of searches at checkpoints?

Under the general guidelines issued by NAKTF, strict adherence to human rights shall be emphasized in all undertakings. Searches made at checkpoints and chokepoints shall be limited to visual search.

If I encounter problems at a checkpoint, where can I ask for help?

For assistance, you can either call the 24-hour NAKTF Hotline: 727-0000 or the DILG/PNP Hotline: 117

[pajerokid]

Nice Info, artpogi. I actuall got flagged down on my way to work a couple of days back. wala lang, mabait naman sila. this looks like a good move. sana makachamba sila ng kidnapper. By the way, the cops who stopped me were heavily armed. MP5s galore. This was in the Fort, going to EDSA.

[ssaloon]

napanood ko sa news kanina, may nahuli na holdaper sa isang checkpoint.

[fierari]

galeng naman me nahuli sila.


ako rin na checkpoint at magagalang naman sila. galing

[mazdamazda]

pansion ko lang sa mga checkpiont... mga AUV and motorcycle and chinechick talaga...

[ssaloon]

got this via email:

Police Checkpoint SOP's and Miscellaneous Security Measures


1. DO NOT STOP, even when flagged down particularly under the following circumstances:



The persons flagging you down are not in uniform. By law all personnel manning legitimate checkpoints should be in service uniform with the nameplates and other identification tags clearly visible and readable.

There is no visible police or military vehicle with conspicuous official markings. Even plainclothes personnel on a legitimate operation are not authorized to man stationary checkpoints (if on a mobile checkpoint, and in a pursuit operation, police personnel will usually wear IDs large enough to be readable.

2. If the checkpoint is legitimate, and you are requested to stop, remember to do the following:



Turn off your headlights (but not your parklights), turn on your interior light (so that you will be visible from the outside, and roll down your window (partially only, just enough to let you talk with the officer outside). This is standard courtesy and gives the impression that you know what you’re doing in such circumstances, further serving as a deterrent to! any ill motive.

If a search is requested INSIDE the vehicle, assert your right not to get down. Just turn on the lights (interior and map lights), open the windows to facilitate searching and WATCH THEIR HANDS to see if they will plant anything inside. A rule of thumb is that they should only search with their flashlights. If they want to look inside any compartment (glove, center console, bag, etc.), remember (AND REMIND the officer) that it is YOU who should open and show the contents, not them. ASSERT your RIGHTS.

If requested that the trunk be searched after the interior has been found “clean”, roll-up all windows first and lock all other doors (except the driver’s). Open the trunk with the key (if you cannot avoid opening it remotely) and make sure the previously mentioned SOPs are followed.



3. If the personnel manning the checkpoint tell you that you’re driving a “hot car” (stolen vehicle), ask for the written police report (there should be). Check it and if legitimate, show your registration papers without leaving the vehicle.

4. If flagged down by unknown people, slow down first and quickly observe if:



The people are suspicious looking, not in uniform, nor without any police or military vehicle in sight, and guns

are at the ready;

You are in a deserted stretch, in a dimly lit or dark road;

There is no indication of an operation in progress such as the presence of numerous vehicles in or near the

area;

5. If you have no choice but to stop and you suspect something wrong (and the circumstances above in 4. are present, open your cellphone (it is now a standard security measure to have one) and dial the home or office number and leave it where the conversation could be heard. You could also tell the people where you are before completely stopping. Tell them not to hang up and to listen intently in case something goes wrong.

6. If the above circumstances are present and if you do have a choice, then:

DON’T STOP.

Call home or the office at once or an emergency number.

If you are still far and have time to extricate in the opposite direction (or if you can execute a bootleg or J-turn) then do so by all means. If you know some ramming techniques in case of a roadblock and you are confident you can pull it off, remember to ram the front and rear parts (and not the center where the vehicle’s mass is concentrated).

Get out of the area and proceed to any place where a lot of people converge (large gas stations, e.g.), any police station or government office where you can call for help.

Blow your horn persistently to indicate trouble (car alarm systems can be activated even while moving). Police know a criminal will not call attention to himself. This will also avoid mistake encounters by legitimate government forces.

7. The above measures can be done in areas where criminal syndicates are known to proliferate. In rebel-infested areas where checkpoints by the NPA or the Muslim secessionists (MILF, Abu Sayaff) are as easily put up as those of the military or police, it is however WISE to STOP when flagged down precisely because there could be more forces than can be seen, there could be an ambush prepared farther up the road, or there may be one on-going (you’ll of course hear a lot of gunfire).

8. Foreknowledge is always important. Determine the critical areas in the area you often drive through. The Coastal Road and the North Expressway are both notorious for carnapping and kidnapping incidents. Avoid it or at least be prepared and alert when traversing these areas. Know the “chokepoints” along the route.

9. Remember: RAISE your ALERT LEVEL when in these areas, have PRESENCE OF MIND, and DO NOT PANIC.