Checkpoints that Miss the Point

Checkpoints that Miss the Point

In many checkpoints across the country, it has become a familiar sight: commuters are asked to alight from buses or jeepneys, clutching their bags as police officers wave a stick to “inspect” their belongings. The process, though intended for public safety, often ends up more as a ritual than a genuine security measure. The question arises—does this really make us safer, or does it merely inconvenience the very people it aims to protect?

For ordinary commuters, this routine feels like an unnecessary burden. Workers and students already endure long hours of travel, only to be delayed further by inspections that are, at best, superficial. A stick pointed at a bag cannot detect a real threat. If security is the goal, then checkpoints must be conducted with proper tools, trained personnel, and consistent standards.

What makes the situation even more troubling is the unequal treatment between public and private transport. While commuters are subjected to searches and scrutiny, private vehicles are often waved through without question. This selective enforcement creates a sense of unfairness and erodes public confidence in the system.

Public safety must not come at the expense of dignity and equality. Security operations should be intelligent, efficient, and just—protecting all citizens without discriminating against those who can afford less. Until checkpoints uphold fairness and genuine effectiveness, they will remain a daily reminder of the unequal burdens carried by the masses.

ABOUT the Author:

Christian Jay S. Laya is a licensed Professional Teacher from Alabel, Sarangani Province. He currently serves as the Senior Tourism Operations Officer and Municipal Information Officer (designate) of the local government unit. He earned his undergraduate degree, Bachelor of Arts in History, cum laude, from Mindanao State University–General Santos City. He has also completed the academic requirements for a Master of Arts in Philippine Studies and is presently pursuing a Master in Public Administration, major in Local and Regional Governance Administration, at the same university. A writer, community journalist, and cultural heritage advocate, he is deeply committed to preserving and promoting local history and traditions.