ABRA POLICE TIGHTENS CHECKPOINTS, AIMS ZERO SHOOTING INCIDENTS THIS ELECTION PERIOD

January 12, 2025 Provincial

BANGUED, Abra

Abra Provincial Police Office (PPO) Provincial Director PCol. Gilbert Fati-ig emphasized the religious conduct of checkpoints in the province as the election period comes close. Fati-ig, during the first Monday flag raising ceremony
at the Provincial Capitol Grounds on January 6, shared that the different police stations in Abra will religiously conduct checkpoints to ensure public order and safety as the election period kicks-off on January 12, 2025.

“Ang aim ng Abra PPO ay zero-shooting incidence dito sa Abra lalo na ngayong election period. I seek your sincere
cooperation dito sa pag-observe natin ng peace and order dito sa Abra,” Fati-ig appealed. He shared that one 45
caliber gun was already confiscated at a checkpoint and a case was already filed for it. The Provincial Director advised gun owners to keep their guns, even those with papers, at home during the election gun ban starting Jan. 12.

Abra has been identified as a hotspot in past election periods and is known to have a violent poll history. Meanwhile, Fati-ig also reported that during the holiday season, a total of 14 firecracker-related injuries and three crime incidents were recorded in the province. Bangued recorded the most number of cases of firecracker-related injuries. Of the 14 injuries, five were due to ‘boga’ or improvised cannons and others were due to ‘kwitis’ or skyrocket accidents.

The province also had three crime incidents during the holidays that involved a shooting in Pilar, another shooting incident under investigation, and a hacking incident in Tayum due to drunkenness. All three cases were already referred to the Prosecutor’s Office. Fati-ig encouraged the public to cooperate in crime prevention and keeping Abra
communities peaceful and safe. “Public order and safety is all our concern. I urge everyone nga paki-report ang napansin ninyo o nakita ninyo na crime sa mga nearest police stations ninyo para makapag-response po kami ng maaga,” he said.

(JJPM- PIA CAR, Abra)