Philippine National Police officer-in-charge Lt. General Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday said the cops will come from the Quezon City Police District, Manila Police District, Eastern Police District, Western Police District, Northern Police District, and Southern Police District to assist various local government units in enforcing the curfew.
Eleazar also said that police augmentation will come from the Highway Patrol Group, the Reactionary Standby Support Force, and other units that have already conducted similar operations before.
NCR mayors agreed last week to implement uniform curfew hours in a bid to control the spike of COVID-19 cases in the region. Meanwhile, some cities have also imposed localized lockdowns.
The PNP added that 373 checkpoints will also be set up.
Eleazar said in a statement that the deployment of cops in Metro Manila and in Cebu City last year “compelled the people to behave and eventually resulted in the reduction of COVID-19 cases.”
Moreover, the PNP reminded cops to observe maximum tolerance and respect people’s rights. The police also advised the public to observe minimum health protocols and respect law enforcers.
“Let us bear in mind that your PNP is not the enemy here, our common enemy is the coronavirus, and it takes our cooperation to contain the spread of the virus,” said Eleazar.
Among those who are exempted from the curfew hours are medical frontliners, people dealing with medical emergencies, drivers of delivery trucks, people delivering essential goods, private employees who are on their way to and from work, construction workers, media workers, people coming to and arriving from airport, private transportation drivers, security guards, and fast-food restaurant employees.
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority chairperson Benhur Abalos earlier clarified that essential workers who are on duty, or who will be going to or coming home from work during curfew hours will still be exempted as long as they present their IDs to authorities.
Liquor ban
On the other hand, the Quezon City government suspended the retail sale of alcoholic beverage starting Monday until end-March.
The city government will also close all gyms, spas and internet cafes for two weeks, following a “serious outbreak” in an unidentified gym.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, March 14) – A total of 9,634 cops will be deployed to the National Capital Region as the region implements uniform curfew hours, which will be from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m., starting Monday, March 15.
