PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar on Sunday ordered the deployment of more uniformed policemen in public areas to prevent mass gatherings that can be considered super spreader events.

The top cop also emphasized that the enforcement of protocols should be done jointly by the police and local officials especially barangay workers even as he warned events organizers they would face the full wrath of the law once they are found to be violating health protocols specifically the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields and social distancing.

“Binabalaan ko din ang mga organizer ng mga aktibidad na ito na walang pasensyahang magaganap kapag kayo ay nahuling lumalabag dahil sisiguruduhin namin na patong-patong na kaso ang kakaharapin ninyo,” Gen. Eleazar said.

“Mas gugustuhin ko pa na kamuhian ninyo ako sa paghihigpit sa mga super-spreader event kaysa sabay-sabay tayong maghakot at magsunog ng mga bangkay na gaya ng nangyari sa India nang dahil sa katigasan ng ulo at pagsasawalang-bahala ng kaligtasan ninyo,” he added.

The top cop issued the order upon instruction of Department of Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año for the police force to strengthen their visibility in public places to ensure that health protocols are observed, and mass gatherings are prevented.

“Batay sa order ng ating SILG, Eduardo Año, inatasan ko na ang lahat ng police commanders sa buong bansa na lalong paigtingin ang pakikipag-tulungan sa mga barangay sa pag-iikot at pagbabantay laban sa mga super-spreader events sa gitna ng banta ng Delta variant ng COVID-19,” Gen. Eleazar said.

The PNP chief said police chiefs should determine how many more men are needed to secure public locations and other establishments in their areas of responsibility and deploy them immediately.

Sec. Año has warned that local chief executives will also be made answerable for the violations of health and safety protocols in their areas. He said quarantine rules should always be strictly implemented after local cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant were recorded in the country.

Gen. Eleazar assured that the PNP would closely coordinate with the national government to determine how law enforcers could further strengthen the implementation of quarantine guidelines.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon