NEARLY 10,000 policemen will be re-deployed in the streets of Metro Manila to enforce the uniform curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. beginning Monday, March 15, 2021.
Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, Philippine National Police (PNP) officer-in-charge, said the PNP will establish checkpoints in 373 areas.
Eleazar said those who will be caught violating the protocol will be penalized depending on the ordinances in respective local government units.
He said police commanders in areas where checkpoints will be established will be given the discretion to conduct inspection on vehicles.
“With regard to the curfew implementation kung kakaunti naman ang sasakyan why not pero kung marami na pwede stop and go just like what we’ve been telling our unit commanders on the ground,” he said in a press conference in Camp Crame.
Among those exempted from the curfew are the following:
· Medical practitioners, nurses, ambulance drivers and other workers of medical facilities while on their way to and from work;
· Attendants of other persons dealing with an emergency medical situation;
· Persons who are obtaining emergency medical assistance for themselves or for other persons;
· Drivers of delivery trucks on their way to deliver essential goods/products;
· Owners, vendors and other persons involved in the transport and delivery of essential goods;
· Private employees such as call center agents on their way to and from work;
· Construction workers on their way to and from work;
· Media practitioners while performing their job;
· Persons who are traveling to or from airport prior to or after a flight;
· Drivers of private transportation used as shuttle services on their way to and from work;
· Members of law enforcement agencies, including AFP, PCG, BFP, and other emergency responders;
· Security guards; and
· Employees of open fast food outlets (take-out only)
Eleazar said these workers may just present their IDs.
“Kung hindi naman kayo kasama sa exemption ‘wag na kayong lumabas. Basically ang pinupuntirya natin ditto yung lumalabas na pupunta sa mga kainan sa mga restaurants, pupunta sa kaibigan para magkaroon ng gatherings so yun ang mawawala satin,” he said.
He reminded the police to exercise maximum tolerance and respect human rights.
At the same time, he reminded the public to respect the guidelines and the law enforcers.
Everybody must comply with the minimum health standards such as wearing of face masks and face shields, and physical distancing, Eleazar added. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo / SunStar Philippines)