POLICE territorial units are fully prepared to enforce ‘granular lockdowns in their areas once the local government and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) orders them to do so to help contain the further spread of COVID-19 and its more deadly variants, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar emphasized yesterday.

According to the top cop, all 17 Police Regional Office directors and their provincial/city directors down to chiefs of municipal police stations and precincts are already all geared up to enforce the ‘granular lockdown’ in some areas under their jurisdiction once given the go-signal by the higher-ups.

Gen. Eleazar has ordered his field commanders to fully coordinate with local government units in their areas to determine the measures that will be imposed during the lockdown.

“I have tasked police commanders to start coordinating with local government officials and initiate discussions regarding the possible implementation of granular lockdown starting next month,” Gen. Eleazar said.

“Ito ay isang proposal pa lamang subalit mas maigi nang paghandaan ito ng maaga upang hindi na magdulot ng kalituhan na maaring mauwi sa hindi pagkakaunawaan kung sakaling ma-aprubahan ito,” he added.

The PNP chief said police and barangay officials should work hand in hand to achieve an orderly enforcement of granular lockdown.

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) had said that the national government is considering making adjustments in implementing lockdowns when there is an increase in the number of infections.

The government is considering doing away with massive lockdowns and instead implement granular lockdowns wherein even authorized persons outside residence would be prohibited to leave their homes.

Following the DILG pronouncements, Gen. Eleazar ordered police offices to prepare the deployment of personnel once granular lockdown will already be implemented in certain areas.

“Sa panig ng PNP, patuloy kaming magiging kaagapay ng national at local governments upang maabot ang ating adhikain na maibaba ang infection rate at eventually ay mailigtas ang mas maraming bilang ng mga Pilipino na mahawaan ng nakakamatay na virus na ito,” he said.

NCRPO FULLY PREPARED FOR THE JOB

In Metro Manila, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Major Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr. said they remain on top of the situation and will strictly enforce whatever decision will be made by the government thru the IATF-MEID and LGUs to help arrest the further outbreak of the deadly virus.

Since last August 18, 55 areas in Quezon City are already under the so-called ‘Special Concern Area Lockdown’ or SCAL following an increase in COVID-19 cases in these sites.

The Q.C. government said only particular areas are under lockdown, not the entire barangay. Those affected by the SCAL are getting food packs and essential kits from the local government while undergoing a swab test and a required 14-day quarantine.

Members of the Q.C. Police District under Brigadier Gen. Antonio C. Yarra are closely guarding these SCAL areas in coordination with local barangays. Residents of communities placed under SCAL are strictly prohibited from crossing the designated barriers/blockades and are reminded to always wear face masks and face shields while strictly observing physical distancing.

Metro Manila will remain under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) until September 7, presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said. The official said that the IATF-MEID also placed under MECQ during the same period the provinces of Apayao, Ilocos Norte, Bulacan, Bataan, Cavite, Rizal, Laguna, Aklan and Iloilo province and the cities of Lucena in Quezon, Iloilo in Iloilo province,

Metro Manila, Bataan and Laguna “shall have added restrictions on dining, personal care services and religious activities’ during the period.

Placed under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions are the provinces of Ilocos Sur, Cagayan, Quezon, Batangas, Antiqu, Capiz, Cebu, Negros Oriental, Zamboanga del Sur, Misamis Oriental, Davao del Note and Davao Occidental and the cities of Bacolod in Negros Occidental, Naga in Camarines Sur, Davao City and Butuan in Agusan del Norte.

Placed under normal GCQ are Baguio City, Santiago City, Quirino province, Isabela, Nueva Viscaya, Tarlac, Puerto Princesa City, Guimaras, Negros Occidental, Zamboanga Sibugay, Zamboanga City, Zamboanga del Norte, Davao Oriental
Davao del Sur, General Santos City,

Sultan Kudarat, Sarangani, North Cotabato, South Cotabato, Agusan del Norte, Agusan del Sur, Surigao del Norte, Surigao del Sur, Dinagat Islands and Cotabato City.

All other areas in the country have been placed under Modified GCQ status. beginning September 1, Wednesday until September 7, 2021, Thursday next week pending a change in community quarantine guidelines.