71 violators of ECQ in private vehicles arrested along EDSA
Published Apr 16, 2020 12:00 am
By Aaron Recuenco
At least 71 motorists were apprehended as police authorities started running after private vehicle owners violating the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) and social distancing rules in Metro Manila.
Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, director of the Philippine National Police Highway Patrol Group (HPG), said citation tickets have been issued to the violators who were also warned of more consequences if they continue going out of their houses without the proper authorization.
(Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Cruz explained that those who were apprehended were not included in the list of those who were authorized to go out of their houses amid the implementation of the ECQ.
A total of 38 motorists were apprehended between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday and another 33 motorists from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“We will continue doing this as part of our mandate of ensuring that the guidelines of the ECQ are implemented,” said Cruz.
The Joint Task Force COVID Shield has instructed the HPG to run after private vehicles amid the noticeable influx of vehicles along EDSA and other roads in Metro Manila.
Aside from setting up mobile checkpoints, JTF COVID Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar also instructed the HPG to deploy motorcycle-riding policemen to run after private vehicles which will avoid mobile checkpoints.
“We would like to emphasize that this is a clear violation of the home quarantine and social distancing rules so we would like to appeal again to the public not to do this and instead, stay in your houses,” said Eleazar.
The apprehended motorists said they were surprised with the mobile checkpoints established in Metro Manila. Most of those who were apprehended were on EDSA.
Eleazar said he is expecting that the HPG will expand the establishment of mobile checkpoints and deployment of motorcycle-riding cops under Oplan Habol in other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
“Aside from mobile checkpoints, our HPG personnel will implement Oplan Habol. Under this, HPG riders will look for areas where there are a lot of private vehicles and check if the vehicle has more than one occupant,” said Eleazar.
“These HPG riders will serve as a standby force. They will immediately proceed to the area where there are a lot of private vehicles and they will also run after private vehicles which are avoiding the mobile checkpoints,” he added.
(Mark Balmores / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO)
Cruz explained that those who were apprehended were not included in the list of those who were authorized to go out of their houses amid the implementation of the ECQ.
A total of 38 motorists were apprehended between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Wednesday and another 33 motorists from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
“We will continue doing this as part of our mandate of ensuring that the guidelines of the ECQ are implemented,” said Cruz.
The Joint Task Force COVID Shield has instructed the HPG to run after private vehicles amid the noticeable influx of vehicles along EDSA and other roads in Metro Manila.
Aside from setting up mobile checkpoints, JTF COVID Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar also instructed the HPG to deploy motorcycle-riding policemen to run after private vehicles which will avoid mobile checkpoints.
“We would like to emphasize that this is a clear violation of the home quarantine and social distancing rules so we would like to appeal again to the public not to do this and instead, stay in your houses,” said Eleazar.
The apprehended motorists said they were surprised with the mobile checkpoints established in Metro Manila. Most of those who were apprehended were on EDSA.
Eleazar said he is expecting that the HPG will expand the establishment of mobile checkpoints and deployment of motorcycle-riding cops under Oplan Habol in other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.
“Aside from mobile checkpoints, our HPG personnel will implement Oplan Habol. Under this, HPG riders will look for areas where there are a lot of private vehicles and check if the vehicle has more than one occupant,” said Eleazar.
“These HPG riders will serve as a standby force. They will immediately proceed to the area where there are a lot of private vehicles and they will also run after private vehicles which are avoiding the mobile checkpoints,” he added.