NEWLY-designated National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Major General Felipe R. Natividad on Thursday ordered the strict implementation of standard health protocols issued by the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) in Metro Manila despite the region’s Alert Level 1 status until March 15.

The member of Philippine Military Academy (PMA) ‘Bigkis Lahi’ Class of 1990 who replaced Major Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr. said he has instructed all NCRPO districts to enforce the IATF guidelines in 34 Quarantine Control Points situated in areas leading to the metropolis.

Natividad added that policemen manning the checkpoints will continue to enforce the IATF guidelines to prevent the possibility of another virus outbreak should the public ignore the rules on the mandatory wearing of face masks and physical distancing.

“Apart from that, our checkpoints will remain in place to guarantee the peace and order in the community as well as to prevent crimes especially now that national and local election is approaching,” Maj. Gen. Natividad said.

According to the official, despite the reduction in COVID-19 cases in the metropolis which triggered the easing of IATF restrictions, they are still seeking the full cooperation of the general public in following minimum public health safety protocols especially the wearing of face masks, frequent washing and disinfection of hands and social distancing.

Natividad said that during the first two days of the pilot implementation of Alert Level 1 status in the region-or from February 28 to March 1—they have recorded that areas placed under granular lockdown have increased from 15 to 19 or 26.67 percent in Metro Manila.

On the other hand, violators of Minimum Public Health Standards likewise increased by 13.36 percent or from 3,713 to 4,209.

DANAO LAUDED

Maj. Gen. Danao, who is set to get his 3rd-star following his designation as PNP The Chief Directorial Staff, the 4th highest position in the 225,000-strong police force, has been lauded for leading the NCRPO in its major anti-crime accomplishments specifically in the war on drugs and manhunt operations from November 10, 2020 to last Monday.

NCRPO records showed that during the period, the NCRPO conducted a total of 15,010 anti-illegal drug operations which resulted in the arrest of 26,531 drug offenders and the seizure of nearly P6.5 billion worth of shabu and other prohibited substances.

The NCRPO confiscated a total of P5.934 billion worth of shabu during the period as well as nearly P71 million worth of dried marijuana bricks.

It also accounted for 13,600 wanted persons including sevenin the national level, 63 in the reginal level, 404 in the district level and 3,365 in the station level. The other 9, 761 were categorized as other wanted persons.

Under Maj. Gen. Danao, the NCRPO also launched 6, 462 anti-illegal gambling operations which resulted in the arrest of 20, 254 suspects and the confiscation of P4, 921, 725 gambling bets.

The metropolitan police force also arrested 1,677 persons and seized 1,849 assorted illegal/unlicensed firearms as it stepped-up its crackdown on holders of lose firearms and other deadly weapons in the run-up to the May 9 national and local elections.

“These accomplishments were the result of collaboration and unity of effort among the men and women of NCRPO. Thank you very much for your ceaseless and unwavering support to all my campaigns geared against all forms of criminality, illegal drugs and terrorism,” the incoming Police Lieutenant General said.