More policemen are expected to be deployed to enforce health protocols in the face of the spike in coronavirus cases in the country.

According to Presidential spokesman Harry Roque, the increased police presence has become a "national policy" to help curb the spread of the coronavirus.

"Of course, it is, a national policy now. It is a directive issued by the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) which must be implemented by the PNP (Philippine National Police) nationwide in light of the new COVID cases," he said during a televised press conference in Ilocos Norte Friday, March 12, when asked if the increased police presence is a nationwide directive from the Palace.

Prior to Roque's remarks, James Fadrilan, DILG Region 1 Director, said there would be increased police presence in areas with high coronavirus cases such as Metro Manila to ensure compliance with the government's minimum public health standards.

"Ang ating mga kapulisan po ay inatasan, specially sa areas of concern, na may nakita tayong mga surges like Metro Manila, iyong presence po, iyong visibility nila ay dinagdagan (Our policemen have been directed to increase presence, visibility in areas of concern or with case surge like Metro Manila)," the DILG official said during the same press conference.

"Pasay City requested for more elements from the PNP, and the PNP acceded to the request. And this is true to all other LGUs na mayroong surges lalo na po iyong mga areas na mayroong cases, pinababantayan po talaga (that have reported case surge, these are being closely guarded)," he said.

He said the police presence was being augmented by the deployment of barangay officials to enforce compliance with health protocols especially in mass gatherings. "Ang mga nakikita po nila ay pinapayuhan na bawasan ang pagkakaroon ng mga gatherings, pag-observe ng proper social distancing and wear masks and face shields properly (They advise people to avoid such gatherings, observe proper social distancing and wear masks and face shields properly)," he added.

The country has recorded a surge in daily cases in recent days after more coronavirus variants have been detected. More than 600,000 people have so far been infected while 12 have died due to the illness.

The government is battling the latest COVID-19 spike by stepping up compliance with health precautions, localized lockdowns, and nighttime curfews. President Duterte has already expressed concern about the case spike as he noticed Filipinos have "abandoned" the health protocols. He has appealed anew to the public to strictly observe health measures such as mask-wearing and physical distancing to avoid getting sick.

Roque said some people have probably grown weary of following health protocols after a year of pandemic lockdown, but he urged them to keep their guard up. He said the government pandemic task force has approved the Department of Health's recommendations to strictly enforce the health protocols. But there is no decision on whether or not the government will tighten the quarantine restrictions including the rules on mass gatherings.

"Ang kasagutan natin mas paigtingin pa ang minimum health standards sa level ng indibidwal, sa level ng mga establishments at sa level po ng local government units (Our answer is to step up minimum health standards at the level of individuals, at the level of establishments and level of local government units)," Roque said.