The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) deployed beat patrollers on the streets to ensure quarantine protocols are being observed as around 6,000 traditional jeepneys were allowed to ply their routes beginning Wednesday.

NCRPO Director Major General Debold Sinas said hundreds of baton-wielding cops from the total police force of 27,000 were sent on the streets to ensure that commuters follow the basic minimum health standards such as observing social distancing and wearing of face masks.
There were also beat patrollers assigned at the stations of Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit (LRT), and Philippine National Railways (PNR), he added.
"Hindi namin pinadalhan ng armas. Ang dala lang stick para kapag magdistancing hindi nila hawakan (We did not order them to bring firearms. They only use sticks to enforce social distancing without having contact)," Sinas said.
The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) earlier approved the resumption of operation of public utility jeepneys (PUJs) in 49 routes in the metro.
Sinas admitted that the resumption of travel under the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila poses a big challenge for the police force to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
As such, the NCRPO coordinated with the Department of Transportation (DOTr), Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), and Philippine National Police's Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) to enforce quarantine protocols on the streets.
"So far, it works. Wala po kaming conflict kung sino ang manghuhuli or mag-implement kasi we always defer kung sino ang lead agencies (We have no conflict as to who will catch violators or implement because we always defer to the lead agency)," Sinas said.
As of Thursday, a total of 801 policemen nationwide have been infected by COVID-19 according to records from the PNP. Most of the disease-stricken cops are assigned in Metro Manila.Â