Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered on Monday, July 19, police forces in some parts of Mindanao to strengthen the intelligence-gathering and patrol to prevent the illegal entry of people into the country through the borders in the South amid the threat of the Delta variant of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Last week, the Philippine government has included Indonesia in the list of countries with strict travel restrictions amid the severe wave of COVID-19 cases which health experts attributed to the Delta variant.
The Philippines shares border with Indonesia and Malaysia in Mindanao, and the porous border in the South is reportedly being taken advantage for smuggling activities, including those who want to easily get in and go out of the Philippines.
The PNP Chief said the Delta variant is described as more transmissible variant of the COVID-19 and was identified as the reason of the severe and deadly wave of mass infections in India.
In his visit in the provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi, Eleazar said the local police forces were tasked to ensure that all measures are in place to prevent the illegal entry of people using the porous borders in Mindanao.
Aside from local police forces, Eleazar also ordered the police's Maritime Group to intensify border watch in coordination with other government agencies that include the Philippine Navy and the Philippine Coast Guard.
Eleazar also met with the regional police officials of the Police Regional Office- Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in a command conference today, July 19, to discuss security and safety measures in the region.