PNP ready to enforce GCQ in Metro Manila

May 31, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Sunday said they are ready to implement the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila starting Monday, June 1.

In a radio interview, Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said this is not new to them as adjustment from enhanced community quarantine in many parts of the country to GCQ was already made since May 16.

“We are ready,” said Eleazar, who is also the commander of Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield.

He said transitioning Metro Manila from ECQ to modified ECQ was already a preparation for them.

“Tomorrow (June 1), there will still be minor adjustments but it is already being prepared by our policemen especially in National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO),” he added.

Eleazar reiterated that opening establishments and allowing workers to go back to work will be a challenge to them.

“But just the same, from the point of view of law enforcement, it will be a challenge… more authorized persons and more vehicles,” he said.

The police official said checkpoints will remain even if most parts of the country will be downgraded to modified GCQ.

“We will only conduct random checkpoints based on the situation in the field as assessed by the unit commanders. We cannot afford to check all the vehicles just like what we did during ECQ for logical reasons,” he said.

Eleazar appealed to the public and to the police officers manning checkpoints to always respect each other.

“For the public, obey the simple guidelines of our community quarantine and respect the authorities enforcing them. On the side of the PNP… observe maximum tolerance and respect the rights of the public,” he said.

“Remember, our police are not fortune tellers, during the conduct of random checkpoints you will be asked, they cannot remember you even if you pass through checkpoints everyday. They will still ask for your ID, don’t be sarcastic… you are (listed as) APOR (authorized person outside of residence) but we will not know that so respect and show courtesy to one another so that there will be no problem,” he added.

Eleazar asked for public’s patience especially tomorrow that Metro Manila and other areas in Luzon will be under GCQ.

In a statement, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the Administration with its whole-of-government approach has put in place interventions and measures following minimum public health standards to ensure the safety of Filipinos.

Roque said they have issued guidelines that apply to workplaces, employers, and workers.

“The government cannot fight COVID-19 alone. We need the concerted effort of everyone. The sacrifices of our people in the past seventy or so days are laudable and we must not put these to naught,” he said.

“It maybe difficult for some, especially those who will physically report, but we live in extraordinary times and situation,” he added.

Roque also appeal for public’s cooperation with authorities enforcing quarantine protocols as more sectors and industries will begin to operate by Monday.

“Let us take care of each other by wearing face masks/face shields, maintaining physical/social distancing, staying at home if/when need be and avoiding crowded places, and the like. Only then we can heal and rise as one,” he said.

“The coronavirus disease 2019, as we have said, in numerous occasions, is an invisible enemy and the world, including the Philippines, has witnessed its adverse impacts across all sectors, as there is still no miracle cure or vaccine for this dreadful virus,” the presidential spokesperson said. Ella Dionisio/DMS