Policewomen to be deployed in ‘kiddie zones’
POLICEWOMEN would be deployed in areas that would be identified as ‘kiddie zones’ as the government further eased quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila and other parts of the country, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said on Friday.
The top cop said in preparation for the ‘kids’ days out,’ he has ordered all police commanders to coordinate with local chief executives for the identification of areas where children aged five and up would be allowed to stay.
He said there will still be police officers who would be deployed in the areas to assist in ensuring the observation of the minimum public health safety protocol.
However, he added that he asked commanders that if possible, those who would be deployed are female police officers whom he described as more accommodating and patient when it comes to dealing with children.
This as more areas were placed under lesser restrictions and are expected to be accommodating in the wake of the recent decision of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases to allow children five years old above to stay in open spaces in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ) and modified GCQ.
The Metro Manila Council is expected to come up with the list of areas where children would be allowed to roam around.
“Sa pagluwag ng community quarantine sa ilang lugar kabilang ang Metro Manila, batid namin sa PNP na mas excited ang ating mga kababayan sa paglabas ng mga batang may edad lima pataas,” said Eleazar.
“Kaya naman inatasan ko na ang ating mga commanders na maghanda tungkol dito sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag-ugnayan sa kanilang mga LGUs sa pagtukoy ng mga lugar na puwedeng puntahan at ang mga alituntunin na dapat sundin dito para sa proteksyon ng bawat isa,” he added
The PNP chief urged parents not to be intimidated by police presence in so-called ‘kiddie zones’ saying it is only meant for everybody’s protection.
“Tinitiyak namin na hindi magiging KJ ang inyong PNP dahil nauunawaan namin ang pinagdaanan ng mga bata at magulang sa mahigit na isang taong lockdown measures,” he said.
“Kaya nanawagan ulit kami sa ating mga kababayan na ang banta ng COVID-19 ay nandito pa kaya sama-sama nating protektahan ang ating mga sarili, at magtulong-tulong tayo na protektahan natin ang mga batang Pilipino,” the PNP chief emphasized.
