Some cops to secure relief goods distribution

PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac on Sunday, March 22, said they will reduce the number of policemen manning the border checkpoints and assign some men to provide security and crowd management assistance during the distribution of relief goods by the local government units (LGU).

“Ang ginagawa natin ngayon ay magbibigay naman tayo ng attention sa maintenance of order ng ating mga residential areas at mga barangay dahil nagsimula na po ang mg LGUs na kanilang pamamahagi ng mga pagkain at relief items at ayaw naman natin mangyari na ma-violate itong social distancing,” he said.

“So sa atin pong mga kababayan na mga taga subaybay natin ngayon, ang nais po natin pakiusap ay maghintay lamang po sa ating bahay at yun naman pong mga nagdi-distribute ng mga relief items at pagkain ay iikot naman po yan at may kasama po tayong pulis na magbibigay ng security,” he added.

Banac said some men will be assigned to conduct foot or mobile patrols to ensure peace and order in the community and ensure that the people remain in their homes.

Crime incidents in Metro Manila and Central Luzon decreased by 67.6 percent and 80.68 percent, respectively, during the first week of the lockdown.

Banac said there will be enough forces who will man the checkpoints.

He said situation at the borders is “getting better” and traffic volume is less.

The police have arrested nine persons for frequently going outside their homes despite the lockdown.

“Meron na pong 9 ang atin pong inaresto at sinampahan ng kaso dahil sa patuloy na pagiging matigas ang ulo na lumalabas pa din, insisting na lumabas kaya po inaresto ng ating pulis, dinala sa presinto upang magpaliwanag at sasampahan ng kaso ng revised penal code 151 o yun disrespect or disobedience to authorities,” he said.

Meanwhile, Banac reiterated the prohibition on mass gatherings including attending wakes and funerals.

“Batay sa pinakahuling update na binigay po sa atin ng interagency task force yun lamang pong mga officiating priests, si father, si pastor at ‘yung minister at maaari pong pumunta doon sa funeral o burol. Wala pong mangyayaring lamay,” he said.

“Mahigpit pong pinagbabawal ngayon sa ilalim ng ating enhanced community quarantine ang pagkakaroon po ng lamay. So tayo man ay nakikiramay of course sa mga namamatayan pero hindi po talaga maaari na magkaroon po ng gathering, pag iipon ipon ng mga tao para iburol para doon sa lamay,” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte placed Metro Manila under a general community quarantine effective March 15.

Two days later, as Metro Manila’s over 12 million residents continued to move about, Duterte imposed stricter lockdown rules and declared the entire Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine.

This time, public transportation systems in Luzon were suspended and the islands over 53 million inhabitants were ordered to stay at home. Only one person per household is allowed to go out for a supply run. (SunStar Philippines)

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