PNP ready to deploy 40,000 personnel in case of Metro Manila lockdown

March 11, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) Wednesday said it is ready to deploy up to 40,000 personnel in case of a lockdown in Metro Manila due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

"We will be utilizing...the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office) has a strength of around 28,000. The PNP here in Camp Crame to include NSUs (National Support Units) is around 10,000," said PNP chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa in an ambush interview.

"So more or less we have 38,000 to 40,000 to utilize in case things would come up," Gamboa added.

Gamboa assured that the PNP will offer assistance to the Department of Health (DOH) once as lockdown is implemented. 

Confirmed cases of COVID-19 jumped to 33 from only 10 on Sunday, the Department of Health said.

President Rodrigo Duterte declared a state of national public health emergency and suspended classes in Metro Manila from March 10 to March 14. Cristina Eloisa Baclig/DMS