PNP boosts reporting vs quarantine violators

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday urged residents to report their neighbors who are violating quarantine and minimum health safety standard protocols.

PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar issued the call as part of efforts to strengthen their reporting system in barangays against violators of the government’s protocols to address the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The cooperation of residents at the barangay level would be encouraged if they have the means to report violations by their neighbors, especially if their identities would not be known,” he said in a statement.

At least 277,900 individuals were accosted since March 17 across the country for violating quarantine protocols. Of the number, around 78,339 or 28 percent were charged while the rest were warned or fined.

Eleazar believes the cooperation of the public in reporting violators would help the enforcement of wearing face masks in public and other quarantine rules, as ordered by President Duterte.

He instructed police commanders to beef up their reporting systems by making sure that all their hotline numbers are working.

Police stations could also use their respective social media accounts, where barangay residents could send a direct message with information relating to quarantine violations in their communities.

Eleazar also urged barangay councils to make available their own hotline numbers so that their constituents can report quarantine violators.