BORDER PATROLS. Members of the Philippine National Police on Tuesday (March 17, 2020) man a checkpoint at Kinalkalan village, Balasan, Iloilo, a boundary between Iloilo and Capiz provinces. The police in Western Visayas deployed 932 cops to implement border restrictions amid the coronavirus disease 2019 threat. (Photo courtesy of PRO 6)
ILOILO CITY – The Police Regional Office in Western Visayas (PRO 6) Tuesday placed 932 of its men to carry out border restrictions amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) threat.
The 118 quarantine control points identified by the regional office is manned by 129 personnel in Aklan province; 144 in Antique province; 88 in Bacolod City; 135 in Capiz; 39 in Guimaras; 143 in Iloilo province; 49 in Iloilo City; 120 in Negros Occidental.
The Regional Mobile Force Battalion (RMFB) has also deployed 85 of its personnel to help guard the borders.
Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan, PRO 6 regional director, said the police manning the borders were ordered to take care of themselves as they implement the executive orders from different provinces and cities in the region.
“We ask our personnel who conduct checkpoints for them to also secure themselves and see to it that they adhere to different health protocols so that they can secure themselves also,” Pamuspusan said.
The police personnel will shift duties thrice a day to man the 24/7 checkpoints for their immune system to be maintained.
While there is still a lack of personal protective equipment (PPE) for the policemen, the regional office has advised them to use mask and field service uniform while rendering their duties at the borders.
“I hope the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council 6 can give additional PPEs for personnel during the conduct of checkpoints but if we cannot avail, we will practice social distancing and proper use of alcohol and sanitizers,” he said.
He said the provincial directors were also asked to discuss among themselves the deployment of their men in the joint boundaries.
“If there is a lack of personnel, we still have the RMFB and reserve force here in the region,” he said.
Adjustments on the deployment would be made depending on the need of the situation.
The PRO 6 assured that the number deployed on the borders are on top of the personnel who are on mobile patrols to check on the compliance on community quarantine and border restrictions. (PNA)
