The quarantine control points placed in Metro Manila amid the implementation of enhanced community quarantine has been reduced from 73 to 49.
“Kaya binawasan namin ng almost 40 percent dahil noong nai-close na sila, wala na masyado taong naggagala (We reduced it to almost 40 percent because only a few people have been loitering since the closure). So, from 1 platoon, we reduced it to 16, ‘yung yung ginawa naming 1 squad (then we converted the 16 to 1 squad),” National Capital Region Regional Director PMGEN Debold Sinas said.
A total of 1,200 policemen are currently deployed and guarding the checkpoints left.
The NCRPO also denied anew the circulating reports in social media on alleged looting incidents in Mega Manila. Sinas said they have been carefully verifying the reports.
They assured they will not be complacent as they continue to deploy cops in target areas to provide 24/7 security and avert any looting incidents.
“Additional mobile cars will conduct patrol duties day and night to accost loiterers amd unauthorized motorcycle riding individuals,” Sinas said.
The regional office has also deployed around 300 cops in areas placed under extreme enhanced community quarantine.
Meanwhile, two Metro Manila police personnel are still abroad and stranded. The NCRPO has been monitoring and waiting for their arrival.
Since January, 30 NCRPO personnel have returned to the country and 12 of them are on self-quarantine while 18 are back on duty after completing their 14-day quarantine period and have not shown any COVID-19 symptoms.
The NCRPO has allotted a special care facility in Camp Bagong Diwa for cops who want to be self-quarantined. The 12-bed first facility has been allowed for immediate use, while the 30-bed facility is yet to complete construction. – Report from Patrick de Jesus
