THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will downscale checkpoint operations in areas that will shift to general community quarantine (GCQ) on May 16 and reassign personnel to places of convergence such as malls to ensure social distancing and wearing of face masks.
“Alam naman natin na ‘yung pinaka tool natin dito ay ‘yung quarantine control points na siya ding ginagamit natin whether nasa ECQ (enhanced community quarantine or GCQ. Dahil nga ang GCQ ay pinapaluwag na o na-relax na ‘yung ibang establishments at mga manufacturing establishments yan po ay ang gagawin natin magtatanggal narin tayo ng mga tauhan upang ipadala sa mga establishments to ensure compliance lalo na mga malls na magbubukas,” Major General Emmanuel Licup, director of PNP directorate for operations, said Tuesday, May 12.
“Tuloy-tuloy ang checkpoints although siguro mangyari na magiging random ang magiging ckeckpoints dahil sa kakulangan ng tao,” he added.
Only Metro Manila, Laguna, and Cebu City will be placed under a modified ECQ until May 31 as announced by Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque.
Regions with moderate risk of coronavirus infection will be placed under GCQ until May 31.
These are Central Luzon, Region IV - A except Laguna, Central Visayas except Cebu City, Cordillera, Cagayan Valley, Zamboanga Peninsula, Davao region and Caraga.
Under GCQ, individuals from 21 to 59 years old are allowed to go out to obtain essentials.
Non-essential but non leisure shops and service establishments will be allowed to resume operation provided that social distancing, wearing of face mask and proper hygiene and sanitation is being observed.
“Meron tayong pinapatupad na minimum health requirements na yan po ay nangangailangan ng PNP para ipatupad... ‘Yung mga sinabi ko kanina na establishments at manufacturing companies na magbubukas na s’ya rin naming iinspekin to ensure compliance nila sa Department of Health (policies),” said Licup.
PNP chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa said they are still waiting for the final guidelines from the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) for the implementation of the modified ECQ in Cebu City, NCR and Laguna and the GCQ. (SunStar Philippines)