PNP to continue implementing COVID-19 protocols

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police will continue the strict enforcement of COVID-19 protocols should Metro Manila be placed under Alert Level 2 in the coming weeks, PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said yesterday.

Eleazar said the police would not be complacent if the National Capital Region would be downgraded to the more relaxed Alert Level 2.

He asked the public to follow the minimum health standards to curb the transmisssion of COVID-19, especially since more people will be allowed outdoors.

“The coronavirus does not care about alert levels. That’s why the people are the ones who should adjust by following safety guidelines. The PNP is ready to remind the public to observe these rules,” Eleazar said.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government earlier said mayors in Metro Manila are prepared for a shift to Alert Level 2 by November, given the deployment of more police personnel and the ramped up vaccination program.

Eleazar said the PNP would ensure that there is sufficient number of police officers to implement health protocols, especially in public areas such as malls and leisure establishments.

“We will also strengthen the campaign against crimes,” Eleazar said, noting that eased quarantine restrictions mean that more people would be allowed outdoors.

Metro Manila remains under Alert Level 3 until Sunday, which the government’s pandemic task force said could be downgraded further depending on the number of COVID-19 cases in the region.

The Metro Manila Council and Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases have yet to recommend if the alert level would be downgraded next month.