Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday (July 25) called for the public’s cooperation in the implementation of lengthened curfew hours in Metro Manila.
The decision to revert to the 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m. curfew hours, from 12 midnight to 4:00 a.m., was due to the threat of the COVID-19 Delta variant after the Department of Health confirmed cases of local transmission.
Eleazar explained the longer curfew hours are necessary in order to help contain the spread of the Delta variant, described as more virulent based on the experience in India.
“Hindi na bago ang pagkakaroon ng mas mahabang curfew hours sa Metro Manila, kaya inaasahan natin ang pagsunod ng ating mga kababayan sa patakarang ito,” Eleazar said.
“Sa ating mga kapulisan, inaasahan ko ang maayos na pagpapaliwanag at pakikitungo sa mga lalabag sa itinakdaang curfew hours, at inaasahan ko din ang pagrespeto ng ating mga kababayan sa patakarang ito at pati na rin sa mga taong nagpapatupad nito,” he added.
Eleazar also expressed confidence that the decision for longer curfew hours would no longer result in arrests and other unnecessary confrontations between the violators and people enforcing the rule, including policemen and barangay tanods.
“Kung isasaisip natin ang kaligtasan natin at ng ating pamilya, naniniwala ako na hindi na tayo aabot sa sitahan at arestuhan pa sa pagpapatupad ng curfew hours sa Metro Manila o saan mang lugar na ipinapatupad ito,” the PNP chief said.
The Metro Manila Council has lengthened curfew hours in the National Capital Region to 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 a.m., from the previous 12 midnight to 4:00 a.m., beginning Sunday (July 25).
This is to prevent the further transmission of the Delta variant, which is believed to be more transmissible, and to stop the increase in the number of COVID-19 infections in Metro Manila.
Through these lengthened curfew hours, the movement of the public will be limited, according to MMC. (PNP-PIO) – jlo
