Operations vs unauthorized persons in private vehicles expand nationwide

April 19, 2020

Police commanders in the provinces have been instructed to check  all private vehicles for possible violation of home quarantine as the Joint Task Force COVID Shield expanded the operations to the entire country amid violations of guidelines to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the JTF COVID Shield,  said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa  has authorized regional directors to come up with measures to ensure that home quarantine and social distancing are observed.

“The expansion of the operations against these private vehicles which may have Unauthorized Persons Outside Residence (UPOR) inside is part of our Chief PNP’s order to further intensify measures against these hardheaded people,” said  Eleazar, also deputy chief for operations of the PNP.

Once it is found out that  private vehicles are driven by or carrying UPOR and were out on non-essential travels, Eleazar said  policemen could issue TOP or Temporary Operator’s Permit, OVR or Ordinance Violation Receipt and other citation tickets to the drivers.

“All the violators should be penalized,” said Eleazar.

On Wednesday, Eleazar tasked the HPG to conduct mobile checkpoints in EDSA and other major roads of Metro Manila and deploy motorcycle-riding policemen to run after private vehicles amid sudden influx of cars plying in the metropolis.

 Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz, PNP Highway Patrol Group director, said they apprehended more than 100 motorists for violating the ECQ guidelines on home quarantine.

“We will continuously do this to send a message that we are serious in the implementation of home quarantine and social distancing. So we are giving out a stern warning to private car owners and drivers of non-cargo vehicles not to engage in non-essential travels because they will certainly be apprehended,” said Cruz.

On Sunday, Eleazar said tasked Cruz to conduct the operations on a daily basis, especially in Metro Manila where most violations occur.

Eleazar said the HPG were also tasked to conduct surprise operations in areas where home quarantine and social distancing rules are violated by bystanders and its local residents.

“We will be using our Mobile Command Center in monitoring and intelligence-gathering of areas where ECQ rules, especially on home quarantine and social distancing are not observed,” said Eleazar.

The MCC is a self-contained and integrated command and control vehicle equipped with advanced technologies on audio and video communication that includes drones.

Eleazar warned that all those who would be apprehended will be charged through the electronic inquest (e-inquest) of the Department of Justice or through regular filing. DMS