PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Debold Sinas reminded police personnel to be "flexible" in implementing the new lockdown in Metro Manila and four neighboring provinces from March 29 to April 4, 2021.
Lieutenant General Hawthorne Binag, PNP deputy chief for operations, said that aside from enforcing enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) protocols, the police were reminded to also take care of themselves.
"'Yung gagawin lang nila doon papaalalahanan, sa nagviolate pabalikin or issuehan ng ticket ayon sa ordinansa or dalhin sa isang lugar kung nagviolate sila, sa isang gym or malaking lugar para bigyan ng lecture or panuorin ng video para pagpapaalala sakanila, hindi sila para pahirapan kundi para paalalahanan nitong ECQ protocol natin," Binag said in a virtual press conference on Sunday, March 28, 2021.
"Ang utos dapat ang checkpoint, number 1, may provisions para mag-turn around ang mga sasakyan para sa mga pababalikin ay makakapag u-turn, dapat security assured pangatlo at least 'yung basic na pangangailangan nila malapit o makita doon bukod sa mga tent gaya ng bathroom, personal necessities, pahingahan," he added.
Binag said they have tapped the Highway Patrol Group and other support units to provide assistance particularly in the conduct of inspection.
He said those who will be deployed during the seven-day ECQ from March 29 to April 4 will undergo Covid-19 testing and isolation after.
The PNP has deployed a total of 7,876 police personnel in 929 checkpoint areas in the National Capital Region, 982 cops in 162 control points in Central Luzon, particularly in Bulacan, and 498 policemen in 15 quarantine control points in Calabarzon.
Three Calabarzon provinces, namely, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal, have also reverted to ECQ. These are part of the NCR+ bubble, which was created a week ago in a bid to slow down transmission of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
Binag said there is no need for travel passes as IDs or certificates to prove one's employment status will suffice in order for them to pass through checkpoints. He said quarantine passes will depend on the barangays.
"Dapat maipakita lang nila na taga doon talaga sila sa lugar at bibili lang at uuwi agad sa kanilang mga bahay," he said.
Binag reminded that persons below 18 and over 65 years old, persons with comorbidities and pregnant women are required to stay at home.
"Doon sa mga hindi Apor (authorized person outside residence) nakikiusap kami na huwag na muna kayong lumabas kaso pababalikin din kayo," he said. (SunStar Philippines)