The Philippine National Police (PNP) clarified that less restrictions will be imposed for the people inside the NCR Plus bubble.
PNP Officer in Charge PLtGen. Guillermo Eleazar said that no Quarantine Control Points (QCPs) will be set up within the bubble area, especially in the exit and entry points of Metro Manila. However, checkpoints are still allowed in some strategic locations in the bubble area in support of the 10PM to 5AM unified curfew hours implemented in Metro Manila.
“Beyond curfew period, they can observe, caution or accost those flagrantly violating health protocols but will no longer check motorists for movement restriction. Checkpoints are critical and important police interventions in case of dragnet operations if ever there are emergencies and hot pursuit operations,” said PLtGen. Eleazar.
The PNP OIC also instructed all chiefs of police in the boundaries of the four provinces adjacent to Metro Manila to deploy personnel and guard entry and exit points of the NCR Plus bubble, including small access roads.
“These access roads leading to and out of the NCR+ bubble should also be watched. Our strict implementation to achieve the real intent of this bubble in the major thoroughfares will not be maximized if there are other access roads that would be unguarded,” PLtGen. Eleazar added.
Yesterday, PLtGen. Eleazar and JTF Covid Shield Commander PLtGen. Cesar Hawthorne Binag inspected different QCPs.
PLtGen. Binag directed the police officers manning the checkpoints to ensure that minimum health safety protocols are observed, especially for those going inside the bubble area.
Due to the rising COVID-19 cases, Metro Manila and four nearby provinces- Cavite, Laguna, Riza and Bulacan – were placed under a 2-week general community quarantine bubble with a new set of regulations. – Bea Bernardo
