Task force ready to implement Duterte’s orders

April 17, 2020

The Joint Task Force COVID Shield said they are ready to comply on whatever the decision of President Rodrigo Duterte will be in addressing further the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) threat in the country.

In a statement  Friday,  Police Lieutenant Guillermo Eleazar, JTF commander, said they understand the frustration of Duterte as a lot of people continue to find ways to violate the enhanced community quarantine despite warning from authorities and knowing the dangers of the pandemic disease.

“The JTF COVID Shield, composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Bureau of Fire Protection (BFP), is ready for any scenario and is always ready to comply with the President's order,” Eleazar said.

“We have various contingency plans in every quarantine level-- ready to be implemented anywhere and anytime,” he added.

Eleazar said Duterte and his crisis managers are in a better position to plan and implement measures that are best for the country.

“We have been continuously monitoring the situation on the ground. The reason  more policemen and force multipliers were deployed inside and outside public markets to ensure that social distancing is observed; and recently, set up mobile checkpoints and deploy motorcyle-riding policemen on EDSA and other major roads in Metro Manila after we noticed the sudden influx of private vehicles on the roads,” he said.

Based on their data, since March 17, JTF COVID Shield has accosted around 120, 000 curfew violators across the country and apprehended drivers of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) violating the public transport ban.

“While the situation has improved, there are still some people who violated the rules and even went to the extent of engaging in illegal cockfighting and drinking session,” Eleazar said.

Last Thursday night, Duterte warned Filipinos he would order  security forces to implement stricter measures, similar to "martial law," if they would continue to disregard the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to contain coronavirus disease.

"I'm just asking for your little discipline. Because if you don't believe, the military and also the police will take over. I'm ordering them now to be ready," he said.

"It will already be like martial law. You choose," he added. Ella Dionsio/DMS