OVER 20,000 violators of the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the ‘NCR Plus Bubble’ have been accosted by agents of the Philippine National Police (PNP) for various public health protocol and curfew violations since Friday, PNP chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said.

The 20,511 individuals were cited by policemen manning Quarantine Control Points or conducting checks in Metro Manila and the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna and Cavite to control the surge of COVID-19 in the NCR Plus, said the top cop.

Citing data from the Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield headed by PNP Deputy Chief for Operations, Lieutenant Gen. Israel Ephraim T. Dickson, the PNP chief disclosed that from Friday to 4 a.m. Saturday, 5,781 persons were accosted for violation of curfew hours.

Another 14,775 were questioned for violation of Minimum Public Health Standards like non-wearing or improper wearing of facemasks and face shields, mass gathering, non-observance of social/physical distancing and Republic Act 11332 otherwise known as the Law on Reporting of Communicable Diseases.

Gen. Eleazar said the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) headed by Major Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr. accosted the highest number of curfew violators with 4,394 of which 605 were warned, 1,235 were ordered to pay fines imposed by local government units, 353 were released for filing of case while 2,201were ordered to perform community service.

The Police Regional Office 4-A headed by Brigadier Gen. Eliseo DC Cruz accosted the following number of curfew violators: 540 in Cavite which is under Modified ECQ with 530 warned and 10 ordered to perform community service; 471 in Laguna which is under ECQ with 425 warned and 46 fined; Rizal which is under MECQ with 370 with 342 warned and 18 asked to perform community service.

The Bulacan Police Provincial Office headed by Colonel Lawrence B. Cajipe accosted six curfew violators who were all ordered to pay fines in the province which is under General Community Quarantine with Heightened Restrictions.

Gen. Eleazar said that a total of 14,775 violators of minimum public health standard were also accosted during the two-day period.

He said that 2,749 were accosted for non-wearing of face mask, 1,664 of them in Metro Manila; 536 in Cavite; 383 in Laguna; 143 in Rizal; and 23 in Bulacan.

Another 3,229 persons were accosted for improper wearing of face mask, 1,379 of them in Metro Manila; 845 in Laguna; 789 in Cavite and 204 in Rizal.

Another 5,649 were accosted for not wearing face shield, the biggest number of them in Laguna with 1,966 followed by Cavite with 1,703; Metro Manila with 1,179 and Rizal with 801.

Meanwhile, 2,201 persons were accosted for improper wearing of face shield, 735 of them in Laguna, 716 each from Cavite and NCR and Rizal with 214.

Gen. Eleazar said that 35 persons were also accosted for violating the prohibition on mass gathering, 25 of them in Laguna and 10 in Metro Manila.

Another 902 were accosted for non-observance of social/physical distancing rules including 486 in Metro Manila; 254 in Laguna; 118 in Cavite; and 44 in Rizal province.

The PNP chief said 10 others were warned by the NCRPO for violation of RA 11332.

He added that a total of 494 individuals were denied entry in the NCR Plus Bubble including 119 who were prohibited from entering the metropolis; 56 in Laguna; 129 in Cavite, five in Rizal and 184 in Bulacan.

Gen. Eleazar said that another 58 individuals were documented claiming to be Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) or Essential Persons but were not able to show proof.

Aside from Luzon, other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao likewise implemented a strict quarantine due to the threat of the Delta Variant of COVID-19, the top cop said.

“Makaaasa ang ating mga kababayan na patuloy po at lalo pa naming paiigtingin ang pagbabantay sa mga quarantine control points lalo na sa mga lugar kung saan may mataas na bilang ng mga kaso ng Delta variant ng COVID-19. Muli po ay hinihingi namin ang displina at kooperasyon ng bawat mamamayan para hindi na lumala pa ang sitwasyon natin sa kasalukuyan”, Gen. Eleazar said.

34 QCPs ENFORCING ECQ IN METRO MANILA-DANAO

Meanwhile, Major Danao Jr. on Sunday said 34 Quarantine Control Points (QCPs) in Metro Manila have been put up to strictly enforce the Enhanced Community Quarantine from August 6 to August 20.

“We are calling on the patience of the public here. Please bear with us as we strictly implement the ECQ and curfew hours in Metro Manila to help prevent the further spread of COVID-19,” said the NCRPO chief.

Maj. Gen. Danao said they are fully enforcing the ECQ in the metropolis to restrict the movement of people in Luzon and the interaction of the public for their own personal safety. The NCRPO has limited the movement of the public to those accessing basic necessities including food and essential health services.

The official said the 34 QCPs put up within the borders of Metro Manila are being manned by 586 personnel. Another 173 law enforcement checkpoints manned by 2,398 NCRPO officers and men have also been put up.

Maj. Gen. Danao also said that Authorized Persons Outside Residence or APORs whose vehicles are being driven by Unauthorized Persons Outside Residence (UPORs) are allowed to pass thru their checkpoints provided that the driver will present his employer’s certification.

Further, only workforce APOR’s are authorized to cross boundaries from one city to another and are exempted from the curfew hours from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m.’, he added.

The NCRPO chief also explained that consumer APORs are only allowed to travel within the city boundary where they reside and must have quarantine pass from their LGU. Likewise, they are covered by the curfew hours.

“We appeal to the public for your cooperation. Please stay at home to prevent further spread of the virus. ,” he said.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon