PNP wants” stricter” implementation of checkpoints

March 16, 2020

The Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for operations on Monday said he directed the Joint Task Force- Coronavirus (JTF-CV) Shield to implement “stricter” enforcement on community quarantine checkpoints on the boundaries of Metro Manila.


Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said in an interview with reporters said they understand the decision of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to slowly implement the order of President Rodrigo Duterte in imposing community quarantine but they gave a directive to them  it should not be like that.


“It should be strict implementation from the very start,” Eleazar said.


“We should not conduct dry run because the enemy now is a virus… awareness, could be that but let’s be strict and let’s show to the public that we are not allowing the entry of unauthorized  persons)  so others will not follow and just enter even if they will not do anything in Metro Manila,” he added.


Eleazar made the statement after the people saw “lenient” implementation of control points since it started last Sunday, March 15.


Eleazar said all police personnel deployed in control points are working hard.


“Maybe what is lacking is the dissemination (of order). From the start, we disseminated that strict enforce will be conducted,” he said.


“We are now checking on it. We had a meeting with JTF-CV Shield consisting of PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, as well as Bureau of Fire Protection… we have talked about these guidelines… we are disseminating this,” he added.


According to Eleazar, it should be the responsibility of commanders in every level to inform their men on the guidelines.


“And what I saw on the inspection we conducted today, that is what we need to improve… guidelines from Interagency Task Force should be properly disseminated, received and observed by our personnel in the field. Bottom line, this will be useless if we will let some unauthorized (persons) to go in and out because what we want is to limit, restrict the movement of people who should not be outside their homes,” he said.


On Monday, Eleazar inspected community quarantine control points at the boundary of Meycauyan, Bulacan and Malanday, Valenzuela City.


“First, we have seen they have adequate number of personnel guarding the area. The team leaders, appropriate signage are here and most importantly, we have barangay isolation area where the health workers coming from the local government are stationed. This is very good and in fact, there is a portion where you can wash your hands and disinfect so this is an ideal quarantine control point where it is in the boundary of Metro Manila and in this case, it is beside Bulacan,” he said.


During his inspection, he also reminded policemen to not touch the documents being presented by those who want to enter Metro Manila and just look at it despite they are wearing gloves.


“We are looking now on the protection of our police, we saw that there are observing social distancing as well as they are equipped at least the minimum requirement of protection. They have masks, they have gloves, and during the conduct of checking, we remind them to not touch the document because assuming even if you are protected because you have gloves, you can still transfer it to others if ever the person (you check) has virus,” he said.


Eleazar also told police to prevent those not essential people entering or going out of Metro Manila.


“For example, they are living in Bulacan and will enter Valenzuela just to pay electrical bills that is not included in the exemption. Even to visit on your partners, it is not included so policemen should tell them ‘you are not allowed’,” he said.


Eleazar said they saw significant compliance from the people but there is still a problem in social distancing.


“It remains a problem. One week ago, we cannot imagine that we can do it but because of the need we should do it. Some are doing it while others are not,” he said.


When it comes to transportation, he said those who are going inside Metro Manila but not following (social distancing) will be asked to go down and will not allow entry.


“Individual drivers of any motor vehicles whether public or private should be aware of this responsibility. They should know how many are only allowed to ride and how to distribute it…. They should observe social distancing,” Eleazar said.


“The public should know the guidelines if they are going in and outside (Metro Manila).  It is our responsibility to know our condition… If you are not included in the exemption, don’t go outside your house. If you are exempted, check your conditions, if you think you have flu don’t go outside your house. If you can go outside, bring the proper documents and observe social distancing,” he said. Ella Dionisio/DMS