The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed some 1,203 policemen for enforcement and public safety operations in 89 quarantine control points (QCP) across Metro Manila, and assist the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) in the implementation of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6, Friday until August 20 in the National Capital Region and four adjoining provinces, or NCR plus.
In addition, 4,346 other PNP personnel will man mobile control points in various locations in Metro Manila for the implementation of uniform curfew hours.
Earlier, PNP chief General Guillermo Eleazar sought the cooperation of NCR plus residents and transients of possible inconveniences encountered in QCPs deployed along regional, provincial and city borders to control unnecessary movement of unauthorized individuals.
“These security personnel are under strict instructions to ensure that public health protocols are observed and mass gatherings are disallowed,” he said.
Citing a report by Lt. Gen. Israel Ephraim Dickson, PNP Deputy Chief for Operations and Commander of Joint Task Force Covid Shield, Eleazar said 7,337 policemen are deployed in 2,745 vaccination centers while 4,877 are manning 2,535 quarantine areas.
In other areas outside the NCR plus bubble, the PNP deployed 9,180 police personnel in 1,103 QCPs.
“Despite the uphill battle against Covid-19 and surmounting the challenges we are facing, the PNP remains resilient in assisting the government to quell the community transmission of the Delta variant,” Eleazar said.
Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año earlier said the implementation of strict border controls in NCR plus areas is critical in stopping the spread of the Delta variant even as he warned that violators may be charged for non-cooperation under provisions of RA 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.