By Judy Flores Partlow
DUMAGUETE CITY – The Negros Oriental Police Provincial Office (NOrPPO) has dismissed social media reports, claiming that authorities will conduct massive roadside checkpoints and traffic enforcement operations for the next three days.
Capt. Stephen Jaynard Polinar, NOrPPO spokesperson, told the Philippine News Agency in an interview Friday that the police here have no directive to carry out a “one-time, big-time” operation against various criminal offenses this weekend.
“Contrary to what is being circulated on social media, we have not received a directive from higher headquarters, such as from the Police Regional Office-Negros Island Region, to conduct massive operations this weekend,” Polinar said.
He clarified that police personnel regularly enforce traffic laws, rules and regulations, with checkpoints and other traffic enforcement activities conducted as part of their daily duties.
Polinar added that special operations are generally not announced in advance because doing so could defeat the purpose.
Social media posts have warned motorists about a purported nationwide checkpoint operation dubbed “Oplan Sita/Bulabog,” during which authorities would allegedly issue temporary operators’ permits and impound motor vehicles found violating regulations.
Among the reported violations are driving without a license, failure to present vehicle registration documents and not wearing a motorcycle helmet.
Polinar said these are among the common violations that police and other traffic enforcers check during routine checkpoints, and which may warrant apprehension under existing laws and regulations.
He reminded motorists to carry their licenses and the necessary vehicle registration documents and to comply with traffic rules, such as the wearing of helmets by motorcycle riders, to avoid apprehension. (PNA)
