MIDSAYAP, COTABATO — The local government of Midsayap has imposed a ban on the wearing of face covers, bonnets, masks, or any similar items that conceal the identity of vehicle drivers and passengers as part of stricter measures to deter crime and enhance public safety.
The directive, contained in Executive Order No. 2025-028 signed by Mayor Rolando C. Sacdalan, takes effect immediately and will be enforced throughout the municipality, including all barangays, highways, public roads, and Poblacion areas.
According to the municipal government, the order was prompted by a string of unlawful activities in the area, many of which were allegedly carried out by lawless elements who deliberately used face coverings to conceal their identities, evade detection, and escape apprehension.
“This preventive measure is necessary to ensure that drivers and passengers of vehicles are easily identifiable, thus reducing the opportunities for criminals to commit illegal acts under disguise,” Mayor Sacdalan stressed.
Key Provisions of the Order
Under the regulations, law enforcement agencies—including the Philippine National Police (PNP), the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and the Municipal Traffic Transport Management Section (TTMS)/Traffic Management Unit (TMU)—are authorized to flag down and apprehend individuals wearing masks or bonnets inside vehicles whenever deemed necessary.
Barangay officials, through their Barangay Peacekeeping Action Teams (BPATs), have also been deputized to help enforce the policy, particularly in community-level checkpoints and roving operations.
The order strongly urges all drivers and passengers to remove any form of facial covering that obscures their identity while inside vehicles within Midsayap’s territorial jurisdiction. Authorities clarified that this is not only to aid law enforcement but also to “deter potential criminal acts” by preventing perpetrators from concealing their faces.
Legal Basis and Recommendations
The measure draws legal authority from the Local Government Code of 1991 (Republic Act 7160), which empowers local governments to promote public welfare and maintain peace and order. It is also supported by Republic Act 6975 as amended by RA 8551, which mandates local government coordination with the PNP and other law enforcement agencies in safeguarding public security.
The Municipal Peace and Order Council (MPOC) earlier passed Resolution No. 4, Series of 2025, recommending the ban after recording cases where face covers were used to aid in the commission of crimes.
Enforcement and Penalties
The order does not explicitly mention penalties for violators but authorizes law enforcement officers to apprehend non-compliant individuals. Authorities are expected to implement the directive primarily through checkpoints, roving patrols, and regular monitoring of public spaces.
Security vs. Public Compliance
While the local government underscores that the order is anchored on security, it is expected to draw mixed reactions from residents, especially since face masks remain commonly used for health protection and weather conditions. Municipal authorities, however, clarified that the regulation applies specifically when masks or bonnets are used in ways that conceal identity inside vehicles.
Mayor Sacdalan emphasized that the primary goal is not to inconvenience law-abiding citizens but to “send a strong warning to criminal elements who exploit anonymity.”
The executive order will remain in effect indefinitely unless revoked, repealed, or modified.