Navy deploys boats to enforce quarantine in Manila Bay

March 23, 2020

The Philippine Navy (PN) deployed boats to patrol entry and exit point of Manila Bay in support to the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine against the 2019 coronavirus disease ( COVID-19).

Lt. Commander Maria Christina Roxas, Philippine Navy spokesperson, said its "2nd Patrol Boat Division, comprised of four patrol boats and its personnel, were deployed to complement vessels from the PCG in executing seaborne security measures."

"The PN together with the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) activated the Task Group Laban Covid-19 (Water Cluster) composed of their personnel and sea assets to conduct Maritime Patrol (MARPAT) off the waters in Manila," she said. 

The command post, under the supervision of Naval Task Group– National Capital Region (NTG-NCR), aims to intercept and deny entry and exit of commercial passenger watercraft to and from the vicinity of Manila Bay, Roxas said. "This is in accordance to the guideline of enhanced community quarantine suspending all sea travels in and out of Luzon unless falling under the special exemption," she added. Roxas said two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats with personnel from the Naval Special Operations Group are ready for deployment in Sangley Point, Cavite City.

The efforts of the PN and PCG complement all land quarantine assistance stations  or checkpoints of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other government agencies in accordance to the Luzon quarantine guidelines, she said.

"This to ensure that people from outside NCR do not enter NCR by sea and vice versa, preventing people coming in or going out thereby risking the spread of the virus," she added.

Roxas said Navy Captain Lemuel Espartinez, the designated Commander of Naval Task Group - NCR emphasized that "what we are doing right now is not for any reason but for the safety of all Filipinos against this pandemic virus. We pray that this COVID-19 be eliminated in our country as soon as possible through our efforts in coordination with other government agencies.

"This is everybody's concern, let's urge our love ones, relatives and friends to help us by staying at home and follow government's advice," Espartinez said.

Roxas said "the sailors and marines of Philippine Navy along with other branches of the AFP, the PNP and the health workers are working together in the frontlines to serve the Filipino people and to mitigate the spread of COVID-19". Robina Asido/DMS