Bukidnon: Checkpoints across Northern Mindanao are fully operational to ensure security for the upcoming May 12 midterm elections, with police making their first arrest under the election gun ban that began Sunday.

According to Philippines News Agency, on Monday, Col. Jovit Culaway, director of the Bukidnon Provincial Police Office, underscored the importance of collaboration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec) to maintain peace and order. Culaway emphasized the commitment to work tirelessly alongside government partners and the community to prevent violence and safeguard the integrity of the electoral process.

Checkpoint operations are focused on strictly enforcing election laws, preventing election-related violence, and addressing other forms of electoral fraud. In Bukidnon, eight local government units have been categorized under the 'Orange' classification by the Regional Election Monitoring Action Centers due to reports of communist armed group activities and past election-related incidents.

Meanwhile, Brig. Gen. Jaysen de Guzman, director of the Police Regional Office-Northern Mindanao, reported the arrest of a 31-year-old man in Misamis Oriental on Sunday evening for allegedly violating the Comelec gun ban. The suspect, stopped at a checkpoint in Tagoloan for riding a motorcycle without a helmet, was found carrying a .38 caliber pistol with no serial number and three live rounds of ammunition.

Brig. Gen. de Guzman stated that the arrest underscores the commitment to enforcing election laws and safeguarding communities during this critical time, serving as a warning to those intending to violate the Comelec gun ban. The operation was conducted by the Tagoloan Municipal Police, the 1st Provincial Mobile Force Company, and the Army's 28th Infantry Battalion.