Force multipliers allowed to arrest protocol violators

CEBU, Philippines —  Deployed force multipliers comprising the Task Force Kasaligan are now authorized to make arrest of any violators of the minimum health standard protocols in Cebu City.

The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has authorized the force multipliers to make arrest with the supervision of a police officer after the two-day massive conduct of rekorida as their first tasks.

CCPO director, Police Colonel Josefino Ligan, said these hired force multipliers have started their rekorida in barangays under the area of responsibility of Police Station 4, 10 and 11.

"Including na yung mga shooting incidents na areas so nagpa-deploy ta og additional, for the last two days na deployment nila, more on giving of warnings pa, although they are empowered to make arrests, but for the meantime nag-warn lang sa sila," Ligan told reporters yesterday.

Based on assessment for the last two days, Ligan said the people were observed to be more compliant with the protocols as the members of the Armed Forces of the Philippines were also consistently conducting patrols with the TF Kasaligan and the police.

As of yesterday, Ligan said they have additional area of deployment in the areas of Ayala Extension and in Hipodromo wherein 40 force multipliers were deployed.

"Within the week (the task force will begin apprehensions) pag naa silay makit-an nga mga magpadlong gihapon, I have instructed specifically all the station commanders that all of our force multipliers especially if naa silay kuyog na mga police, they are authorized to make arrest labi na gyud to’ng mga gahi’g ulo na bisan badlungon na motubag pa gihapon," he added.

Aside from the enforcement of the minimum health standard protocols, in which the main focus of the task force multipliers, Ligan said they are also involved in the anti-criminality campaign of the police wherein their sole presence and visibility in the streets could make a difference in maintaining the peace and order.

"Hopefully na katong mga shooting incidents, mabawasan na pero dili pa man gyud nila alarmahan nila ang shooting incidents also," said Ligan.

In coordination with the local government unit, a total of 177 force multipliers were hired to help the CCPO cops enforce the minimum health standard protocols as the city goes into quarantine. — GMR (FREEMAN)