The Philippine National Police (PNP) will maintain its quarantine control points at the NCR Plus borders and will intensify its monitoring to prevent mass gatherings this fiesta season.
This followed the announcement of the national government to revert the NCR Plus area to general community quarantine with “heightened restrictions” wherein non-essential travels remain prohibited until May 31.
PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar has directed police personnel manning quarantine control points to arrest and charge individuals “smuggling people in and out of the NCR Plus” and to impound their vehicles.
“The PNP will strictly implement the guidelines issued by the national government regarding the latest quarantine status. Ang NCR Plus nga po ay nasa GCQ with heightened restrictions, meaning hindi pa rin po papayagan ang non-essential o unnecessary travel papasok at palabas ng NCR Plus,” Eleazar said.
Eleazar also appealed to business establishments allowed to operate to strictly observe the assigned capacity rates for their businesses. Establishments could be ordered closed if they do otherwise.
Meanwhile, police commanders were tasked to strictly monitor and prevent mass gatherings in their areas of responsibility this fiesta season, following the directive of President Duterte on Thursday night.
“Alam naman natin na kapag piyesta, nariyan ang mga handaan, mga aktibidad sa simbahan at iba pang mass gatherings. Nakagawian na natin ito at bahagi ng tradisyon, pero bawal pa rin po ito hangga’t narito ang banta ng COVID-19,” Eleazar said.
The police will also closely coordinate with LGUs, including barangays, to make sure that there will be no mass gatherings. The police will no longer issue warnings to violators as these minimum public safety health protocols have been implemented since last year.
The police will strictly enforce curfews set in the different localities. (PNP-PIO) / AG-rir
