PNP deputy chief for operations, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. (File photo)
MANILA – The Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield) urged both civilians and police officers to show respect for each other to avoid confrontations amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and other areas.
“The keyword is still respect. If we know how to respect one another, either we would not do provocative actions that could lead to confrontation or would learn how to de-escalate tension. Either way, it is a win-win solution,” JTF CV Shield commander, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said in a statement late Wednesday.
He urged the public to obey ECQ guidelines and respect authorities enforcing these protocols and advised police officers to observe maximum tolerance and respect the human rights of civilians at all times.
“It takes two to tango in cases of confrontation. So it is important that cooler heads should always prevail,” he said.
Eleazar also expressed confidence that once these rules are observed properly, incidents such as what happened in Dasmariñas Village in Makati City over the weekend and violent road rage incidents would be prevented.
He also reminded civilians that policemen and other law enforcers are just doing their job in implementing safety measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
He added containing Covid-19 is the sole reason why the ECQ was implemented in the first place, with the police, military, and other law enforcement agencies tasked to enforce the rules.
“This is the reason why law enforcers are also called front-liners because they also risk their own lives and make their own sacrifices like being away from their family for a long period of time,” Eleazar said.
There are so far 89 cases of Covid-19 and three deaths in the police force.
More than 700 other policemen are also tagged as suspect Covid-19 cases.
“So please do not treat your police and other law enforcers as your enemy. Our enemy here is the coronavirus and the reason why your policemen and other law enforcers are on the streets 24/7 is they want to defeat the virus to protect you,” Eleazar said. (with reports from Priam F. Nepomuceno/PNA)
