STRICT checkpoint monitoring in the Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR) is among the factors why the region has kept the number of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases at a minimum.

Police Brigadier General R'win Pagkalinawan, regional director of the Police Regional Office-Cordillera (PRO-COR), said checkpoints in all entry and exit points have helped decrease the possible spread of the virus.

"We are very strict when it comes to those wanting to enter the region like for instance for Baguio City, anyone wanting to enter the city must undergo online processing instituted by the local government unit, and if anyone fails to undergo the online process, they will have difficulty entering the city," Pagkalinawan said.

The PRO-COR chief added all individuals entering the city and the region must have all the necessary documents.

PRO-COR adopted Baguio City's contact tracing procedure initiated by its former regional director and now Mayor Benjamin Magalong.

"All our provincial police offices adapted the strict implementation of the contact tracing procedure introduced by Mayor Magalong just to make sure that we have proper accounting particularly at the first level of contact," Pagkalinawan said.

Following the arrest of a driver faking documents as World Health Organization personnel in Baguio City last week, Pagkalinawan warned individuals of using fake passes and IDs just to skip checkpoints.

"For those that would be proven to be using fake ID's, passes and documents just to enter the region, they will be faced with a case of usurpation of authority so we remind them to use the proper and necessary documents including official protocols at the LGU level before planning to enter the region," Pagkalinawan added.