(PNA file photo by Oliver Marquez)
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has ordered the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to strictly implement the 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. curfew in Metro Manila once the two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) takes effect on Aug. 6.
“The strict border control and the longer curfew hours are but some of the necessary interventions to prevent the spread of the Delta variant of Covid-19,” PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement Tuesday.
Eleazar said the imposition of longer curfew hours would help in preventing mass gatherings in the communities.
He also directed police personnel to coordinate with barangay officials in enforcing the curfew.
He added that policemen will also help enforce the liquor ban that will be implemented by some local government units in Metro Manila.
Eleazar urged the public to strictly follow minimum public health safety standards and quarantine protocols to prevent the spread of the more infectious Delta variant.
While understanding the "quarantine burnout" being experienced by the public, he added that the ECQ has been recommended by experts and so far proved effective in containing the spread of the virus.
“Nakita natin mismo ang epekto ng Delta variant sa India at nababalitaan kung gaano katindi ang virus na ito sa iba pang bansang tinamaan nito kaya nararapat lamang ang agarang aksyon ng ating pamahalaan bago pa ito mauwi sa sisihan (We saw the effects of the Delta variant in India and the government has more than enough reasons in taking protective action)," Eleazar said.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año said no quarantine control points (QCPs) will be installed inside the “NCR Plus" which consists of Metro Manila with Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite until Aug. 6.
“At the moment, the QCPs are at the borders of Bulacan, Rizal, Laguna, and Cavite with adjoining provinces but once we move to ECQ starting Aug. 6, checkpoints will now be located inside Metro Manila,” Año said.
He said the QCPs are located at the borders of Bulacan with Pampanga and Nueva Ecija, Rizal with Quezon, Laguna with Batangas and Quezon, and Cavite with Batangas.
However, Año said the PNP may still install regular checkpoints inside the "NCR Plus" to implement curfew hours and enforce minimum health standards. (with Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
