The Philippine National Police (PNP) might deploy its Medical Reserve Force (MRF) to assist in the vaccination program in the National Capital Region (NCR) during the implementation of a two-week enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from August 6 to 20.
PNP Chief, Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said he directed the PNP-MRF on Sunday, August 1, to be on standby in anticipation of their deployment as additional manpower for the planned mass vaccination program in NCR after the Metro Manila Council (MMC) announced it will try to inoculate 250,000 persons a day during the ECQ period.
"The PNP's Medical Reserve Force will be on standby in case they will be tapped in the vaccination process during the two-week ECQ. Malaki-laki ang 250,000 na katao kada araw kaya't tutulong ang PNP para masigurong magiging maayos, mabilis, at ligtas ang bakunahan sa buong Metro Manila (The PNP will help to ensure that the vaccination in the entire Metro Manila will be orderly, fast, and safe since 250,000 people is a big number)," Eleazar said.
Further, the PNP Chief instructed the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) to prepare the deployment of additional cops and a contingency plan to ensure the safety in all vaccination centers in Metro Manila.
"Ihahanda din natin ang assets ng PNP kung sakaling kailanganin ito para sa paghahatid ng bakuna sa ibang lugar (We will also prepare our assets if ever they are needed in the transportation of the vaccines in other areas)," Eleazar noted.
Meanwhile, police commanders in Metro Manila were ordered to coordinate with local government officials -- especially barangay executives -- to discuss coordination in the implementation of security measures in the vaccination centers.
Last week, President Duterte approved the Inter-Agency Task Force's (IATF) recommendation to place the NCR under ECQ, the strictest form of community quarantine, for two weeks amid a surge of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases due to the spread of the more transmissible Delta variant.
During the ECQ period, the national government will try to inoculate around four million individuals to counter the potentially devastating effects of the Delta-driven spike.
The national government also limits the movement of people to essential travel and services in the said period.