Año orders PNP to be vigilant as quarantine eases in many areas

May 13, 2020

Despite a  61 percent crime reduction rate, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Wednesday directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to remain vigilant as general community quarantine implementation looms in many parts of the country.

Año said the PNP should continue its strict implementation of quarantine protocols “as people might see the lifting of ECQ in some areas as an opportunity to go back to normal and begin committing crimes.”

“Crimes will surely return once GCQ is implemented as (criminals) may pretend to be working to be able to pass through checkpoints. That is why I reminding the police to implement strict checkpoints and police visibility,” he said.

He added the presence of checkpoints by the PNP and the issuance of Quarantine Passes by LGUs will continue during the GCQ because movement is still limited.  Only those allowed to work in permitted industries and accessing essential services are allowed to leave their homes, he said.

Under the GCQ, quarantine measures will still be imposed for persons below 21 years old; persons 60 years old and above; persons who are immunocompromised; pregnant women; and people who reside with the mentioned individuals.

However, seniors who are working or will go out to access essential services will be exempt from home quarantine.

Año said the PNP’s steady implementation of peace and order protocols during the ECQ from March 17 – May 9, 2020 led to only 3,166 crimes committed nationwide.

He said the number of crimes is a far cry from the 8,135 cases reported within January 23 – March 16, 2020 - the days leading to the implementation of ECQ in Luzon.

“The 61 percent decrease in crime volume within March 17 – May 9, 2020 with a total of 3,166 must be maintained by the PNP even under GCQ,” he added.

During the ECQ, theft still has the most cases with 865 incidents but still much lower compared to the data gathered during the earlier months prior to the ECQ which is 2,752. The same pattern applied to other crimes such as murder, homicide, physical injury, and rape, among others.

Meanwhile, curfew violations and disobedience tallied a total of 167,278 violators from March 17 – May 9, 2020. Majority of these cases are from Luzon with 106,926 followed by Mindanao 30,533 and Visayas with 29,819.

Año said 105,445 or 63 percent of the total number of curfew violators were just warned while 28 percent or 47,257 were detained but majority were released on bail after undergoing inquest, and 14,576 or 9 percent were fined. Ella Dionisio/DMS