Cops to watch jeeps, bus terminals for overcrowding
PHILIPPINE National Police chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar ordered all chiefs of police in Metro Manila and other parts of the country to monitor bus and jeepney terminals in their areas to check the presence of drivers who are violating the rules on maximum passenger capacity during the strict quarantine measures.
“It is the responsibility of respective unit commanders na alamin ang respective terminals sa lugar nila at maglagay ng tao para macheck kung nasusunod ang physical distancing at other quarantine rules sa mga bus and jeepneys,” the PNP chief said.
However, Gen. Eleazar maintained that police alone cannot check these violations and need the help of local government units and other ‘force multpliers’ to prevent public transportation drivers from violating IATF rules when it comes to physical distancing and mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields among them and their passengers.
“I am reminding our unit commanders, the COPs in particular, to seek the help of force multipliers in their areas to check ECQ violations in public transport terminals in their areas. Hindi dapat inaabuso ang batas and dapat tiketan ang mga abusadong drivers para madala,” he said.
The PNP chief said they need all the help they can get from LGUs and other law enforcement agencies in checking ECQ violations in the transport sector since more public utility vehicles have been allowed to operate this month compared to the previous ECQs where limited industries were allowed to operate.
Gen. Eleazar said he checked mini-buses during the 1st day of the ECQ and saw they were fully complying with the 50 percent seating capacity with their passengers showing their IDs to prove they are all Authorized Persons Outside of Residence.
He also said that persons outside of the National Capital Region won’t be allowed to enter Metro Manila during the ECQ period. “Ayaw natin magkaroon ng exodus na me lalabas at papasok dito sa ating bubble areas. They must wait until after August 20,” the PNP chief said.
Gen. Eleazar said unauthorized persons won’t be allowed to enter the metropolis by the police who are under instructions to exercise maximum tolerance and give the public all the respect and courtesy they deserve.
He added that police are under order to see to it that all public utility terminals, establishments and event households would be fully complying with the ECQ protocols. He encouraged the citizenry to avail of their E-Sumbong project to report ECQ violators in their neighborhood so that police can promptly address their concern.
