PR
Two major Philippine National Police-led task forces on Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) have joined forces to synchronize and maximize the implementation of the government’s action plans not only to prevent the spread of the coronavirus but also in taking care of those who take care of the infected Filipinos.
Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, said their first course of action with the PNP’s Administrative Support for COVID-19 Task Force (ASCOTF) led by Police Lt. Gen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag was to inspect all the quarantine and swabbing facilities being managed and supervised by the PNP.
They are the Philsports Arena in Pasig City, the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) and the Mall of Asia Mega Quarantine Facility which are both located in Pasay City.
“The guideline given by the Chief PNP General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan is for the two task forces, the JTF COVID Shield and the ASCOTF, to coordinate so that we can ensure that the mandate will be pursued and followed,” said PLt. Gen. Eleazar.
This is in line with the ‘buddy system’ that was initiated by PNP Chief General Cascolan in order for top officials of the PNP to work together in improving the services to the people. In the case of the response on COVID-19, the ‘buddy system’ was between PLt. Gen. Eleazar and PLt. Gen. Binag who are both members of the Philippine Military Academy PMA Class 1987.
For general peace and order-related matters, the ‘buddy system’ was between PNP Chief General Cascolan and PLt. Gen. Eleazar who is currently the number two man of the PNP being the Deputy Chief for Administration; and between PLt. Gen. Binag, the PNP number three man as Deputy Chief for Operations, and another member of the PMA Class 1987, PLt. Gen. Joselito Vera Cruz, the PNP number 4 man being The Chief Directorial Staff.
PLt. Gen. Eleazar said the purpose of the Thursday inspection is to meet with the PNP personnel manning the quarantine facilities in order to identify their concerns and other needs.
“We are really fortunate to have this inspection visit to meet you and personally ask inputs from you, Mas mahalaga na malaman ang concerns ninyo para mapag-aralan at magawan ng paraan na asikasuhin,” said PLt. Gen. Eleazar.
