PNP to assess to lower alert status after Metro Manila now on GCQ

June 1, 2020

The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Monday said they will assess whether to downgrade their alert status after Metro Manila shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ).

“(Alert level) Not yet downgraded but we will assess. We will assess in a few days if we will downgrade it or not because the reason we went on red alert (status) is because of the situation… it jives with the emergency situation as declared by the national authority,” Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said in his press briefing.

The PNP went on full alert last March due to the threat of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“It's a state of emergency, presence is required. Of course, we have to understand also that even the deployment in our office is also graduated,” Gamboa said.

As quarantine protocols ease in Metro Manila and other areas in the country, the PNP chief reminded all cops to have a vigilant stance in protecting the public and implementing healthcare protocols and policies.

“We will implement protocols for the new normal, based on this issuance, in our respective areas of responsibility. Bearing in mind that the whole world is still waiting for the vaccines against COVID 19, thus, I implore to all to have a vigilant stance in protecting our constituents and even ourselves by implementing thoroughly health care protocols and policy,” he said.

The enhanced community quarantine was downgraded to GCQ after 77 days as measures taken by the government to prevent the further spread of COVID-19. Ella Dionisio/DMS