Task force to conduct random checks to see if passengers comply with minimum health standards

September 4, 2020

Joint Task Force COVID Shield on Friday said they will conduct random checks in public utility vehicles like jeepneys and buses to make sure passengers are complying with  minimum health standard set by the government.

Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, JTF commander, said those who do not observe the rules would be accosted and punished to send a strong message they are serious in their mandate to protect the Filipinos from the COVID-19.

“The operators, drivers and even the passengers have the obligation to ensure that they are protected against those who would defy the rules,” he said.

“All the violators must be accosted and punished accordingly. We have been constantly reminding our countrymen about the quarantine rules for more than five months now, these self-protection measures should already be part of their daily routine and therefore, there should be no more excuses,” he added.

Eleazar said he instructed all police commanders to intensify police visibility in transportation hubs and other areas where commuters usually converge to avail of public transport.

“As the national government lifted some of the restrictions in public transportation as part of the measures to reopen our economy, we will make sure that the guideline issued by the National Task Force on COVID-19 is strictly observed,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar said the strict enforcement of rules on public transportation is in support of the order of PNP Chief General Camilo Cascolan to strengthen  marshaling in public transport.

He also tasked the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to conduct random checking on public utility vehicles to ensure compliance on the minimum health safety standard protocols.

Earlier, Eleazar urged transport groups to help the JTF COVID Shield in policing their own ranks by making sure that the operators and drivers are observing the quarantine rules on public transport.