Cops told to work with LGUs on vax site deployment, watch PUV terminals
PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Friday ordered all his police commanders to closely coordinate with local chief executives on the vaccination systems and processes in their localities.
He issued the directive to prevent overcrowding and other potential superspreader events in vaccination centers across Metro Manila as he inspected checkpoints in Caloocan, Manila, Quezon City, Navotas, Parañaque and Muntinlupa cities early in the morning.
On the eve of the imposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the National Capital Region (NCR), crowds thronged the vaccination centers which resulted in the disregard for social distancing and other minimum public health safety standards.
Vaccination activities were cancelled in some jab centers due to the huge turnout of walk-ins who tried their luck at getting COVID-19 vaccines.
“I have instructed all police chiefs to coordinate with local chief executives to determine the vaccination rules and process in their areas during the ECQ period,” Eleazar said.
“Mahalagang malaman ng ating kapulisan ang sistema at paraan ng bakunahan sa bawat lugar para makapaghanda ng sapat na bilang ng personnel na magbabantay dito,” he added.
The top cop directed all 17 Police Regional Offices to create a platoon or company-size quick reaction force that would be placed on standby to respond to overcrowding at the vaccination centers.
He pointed out that the quick reaction units should be ready for deployment on short notice and coordinate with the local government units (LGUs) on the possible cancellation of vaccination activities in case the crowd becomes impossible to control.
On Thursday, people flocked to vaccination areas when they received false information that unvaccinated persons would no longer be allowed to go out and would not get government assistance.
“Huwag tayong basta-basta maniwala sa fake news. Walang katotohanan na hindi papayagang lumabas kapag hindi bakunado. Hindi ito basehan kung papayagang lumabas ang isang indibidwal ngayong ECQ,” Eleazar said.
“Hindi na dapat maulit ang nangyari na dinumog ang mga bakunahan dito sa Metro Manila at hindi nasunod ang mga minimum public health safety standards at quarantine protocols. Hindi dapat maging superspreader events ang mga pila sa vaccination centers,” he emphasized.
Meanwhile, Eleazar also 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.
Eleazar however maintained that police alone cannot check these violations and need the help of LGUs and other “force multipliers” to prevent public transportation drivers from violating Inter-Agency Task Force 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 (PUV) have been allowed to operate this month compared to the previous ECQs where limited industries were allowed to operate.
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 NCR 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.
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 PUV terminals, establishments and even 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.
