THE Joint Task Force (JTF) Covid Shield has instructed police commanders to strengthen social media monitoring against those violating the prohibition on mass gatherings.
Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, JTF commander, said photos of drinking sessions and celebrations that are being uploaded online may be used as evidence against quarantine violators.
“The social media are full of photos and evidence of hardheaded people deliberately violating the quarantine protocols. These can be used as pieces of evidence to warn, to fine and to summon the people concerned in coordination with the barangay officials concerned,” said Eleazar.
“Those who would be caught engaging in drinking sessions may face additional charges especially if there is an existing liquor ban in their respective communities,” he added.
Eleazar also appealed to the netizens to assist the PNP in running after the violators of quarantine protocols, even if those involved are policemen.
He said this is part of PNP Chief Camilo Cascolan’s vow to impose disciplinary action on any policeman who would be caught violating quarantine protocols.
The JTF also ordered ground policemen as well as the Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to beef up police visibility in transportation hubs and other areas where commuters usually converge.
He said random checks in public utility vehicles like jeepneys and buses must also be done regularly in order to ensure that all passengers are complying with the minimum health safety standard protocols such as wearing face masks and face shields and observing proper physical distancing to prevent the further spread of the virus.
“As the national government lifted some of the restrictions in public transportation as part of the measures to reopen our economy, we will make sure that the guidelines issued by the National Task Force on Covid-19 is strictly observed. The operators, drivers and even the passengers have the obligation to ensure that they are protected against those who would defy the rules,” he said.
He also urged transport groups to help authorities in policing their own rank by making sure that the operators and drivers are observing the quarantine rules on public transport.
Since March 17, the JTF has warned, fined and charged more than 365,000 quarantine violators. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)