PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar has ordered all unit commanders in Metro Manila to assess and coordinate with their respective local government units (LGUs) on the need to deploy additional personnel to public places following the downgrading of Covid-19 alert level in the National Capital Region (NCR).

The NCR alert level shifted from 4 to 3 last Saturday, October 16. This more relaxed level allows the opening of more businesses.

Last Saturday (October 16) and Sunday (October 17), a number of people flocked to public areas, including the Dolomite Beach at the Baywalk, churches, the Quirino Grandstand and Mall of Asia grounds to enjoy. Some also went out to do outdoor exercises.

Eleazar said Monday, October 18, that more police personnel might be deployed to public areas in Metro Manila to ensure that the minimum health standards are implemented to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (Covid—19).

“I have tasked all concerned police offices to determine if there is a need to deploy more cops to enforce the minimum health standards. Kailangang matiyak pa rin natin ang kaligtasan ng ating mga kababayan dahil baka ito na naman ang pagmulan ng pagtaas ng kaso ng Covid-19 sa NCR,” he said.

(We need to make sure the safety of our fellowmen, as this might cause the increase in Covid-19 cases in NCR.)

He added that if the public wants to ensure the continued decrease in the number of Covid-19 cases, they must observe discipline.

“Kailangang mapairal pa rin ang disiplina at pagsunod sa mga panuntunan sa ilalim ng Alert Level 3. Hindi dahil may pagluluwag na nagaganap, magsisilabasan na tayo sa ating mga tahanan at babalewalain na ang health and safety protocols,” he said.

(We need to observe disciple and follow the guidelines under Alert Level 3. The downgrading of alert level doesn’t mean that we can now go out of our homes and ignore the health and safety protocols.)

Meanwhile, Eleazar said the PNP would wait for the decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on whether minors will be allowed to go out amid the easing of some protocols.

“Kami sa PNP ay tagapagpatupad lamang ng mga batas at regulasyon. Hihintayin namin kung ano ang magiging resolusyon nila sa bagay na ito at amin itong ipapatupad nang maayos,” he said.

(We are just enforcers of the law. We will wait for the IATF resolution.) (Laureen Mondoñedo-Ynot/SunStar Philippines)