PNP, military report improved compliance with quarantine

MANILA, Philippines — Police and military officials have observed better compliance from the public with the enhanced community quarantine, which is nearing its first week of implementation to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). 

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for operations, said that with the sustained information drive, they expect the public to comply with the guidelines issued in the coming days. 

“We observe our citizens’ compliance is improving. In the first days of implementation many were disobeying,” he told radio dzBB in a mix of English and Filipino. 

He noted that enforcement has been relatively easier for policemen now that the public is complying with directives that only authorized personnel could leave their house to buy goods. 

This has also freed up lanes at checkpoints that is helping cargo delivery to be unhampered. 

Eleazar, who heads the joint task force COVID-19 Shield, said that the police has already observed a drop in crimes committed during the less than one week period. 

He noted that they are now preparing for any eventuality, especially the possibility of looting if the food situation gets worse. 

Still, the PNP has said that there is no actual incidents of looting in Metro Manila and tagged these posts on social media as fake news.

Gen. Felimon Santos Jr., chief of staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippine (AFP), said five days into the full implementation of the enhanced community quarantine it is no longer as chaotic as compared to the first day of the general community quarantine.

“Lots of people are now on home quarantine, maybe because of the absence of mass public transportation,” Santos said.

On the first day of implementation of the community quarantine or lockdown of Metro Manila, traffic in all key entry and exit points to metropolis were really chaotic as public and private employees coming from outside Metro Manila reported to work.

The government, through the Department of Health (DOH)-led Interagency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IAFT-EID), has ordered the suspension of classes in support of the total lockdown that also resulted in the scaling down of the work force in private and government offices.

Another concern that has been addressed, Santos said, is the flow of food supplies to Metro Manila coming from the provinces.

Through special designated lanes at the North Luzon Expressway (NLEX) and the South Luzon Expressway (SLEX) as well as in other key roads leading to Metro Manila, entry of  vehicles transporting food supplies and other basic necessities are now unimpeded.

“The implementation of the expanded community quarantine by all local government units (LGUs) that initially restricted all movements – people and vehicles – have already been addressed. The entry of food supplies in Metro Manila is already smooth,” Santos said.

But as to the restrictions on the movement and activities of people, he said the police and military will still strictly enforce this, not to suppress one’s individual right to travel but to control the spread of COVID-19.

He explained military and police intervention on the current health issues sweeping the country is for the good of the general public.

Meanwhile, the PNP has apprehended drivers of 831 public utility vehicles (PUVs) that tried to ply the roads.

The PNP Highway Patrol Group said 521 taxis, 42 buses, 49 jeepneys and 194 tricycles were intercepted in Metro Manila and other provinces in Luzon from March 17 to 19. 

The PNP said it is readying complaints against the operators of these PUVs before the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board for administrative sanctions. 

President Duterte banned all mass public transportation in Luzon in light of the enhanced community quarantine to combat the spread of COVID-19.  -With Jaime Laude