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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider NCRPO, four other police regional offices on full alert due to COVID-19

NCRPO, four other police regional offices on full alert due to COVID-19

Published Mar 13, 2020 12:00 am
By Martin Sadongdong The Philippine National Police (PNP) placed five of its police regional offices (PROs) on full alert status effective Friday as a proactive measure to prevent the spread of the 2019 coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Signed by Police Major General Emmanuel Luis Licup, the Directorate for Operations (TDO) issued a memorandum declaring the highest alert status in the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), Central Luzon (PRO-3), Calabarzon (PRO-4A), Mimaropa (PRO-4B), and Bicol Region (PRO-5). It took effect at 1 a.m. of March 13 and will only be lifted on the discretion of the PNP. Under a full alert status, all day offs and vacation leaves are cancelled to ensure the availability of policemen to respond to any situation. "Likewise, other PROs shall have the discretion to raise their alert level depending on the prevailing situation in their respective AORs ," the memorandum read. The measure was implemented after President Duterte declared in a public address Thursday night that the COVID-19 Alert System has been raised to Code Red Sublevel 2, which means that there is a "sustained community transmission" of the deadly respiratory disease "beyond capacity." In the same public address, Duterte said that Metro Manila will be placed on a community quarantine or lockdown to slow down the spread of the COVID-19. Land, domestic air, and domestic sea travel to and from Metro Manila shall be suspended from March 15 to April 14.
For his part, General Felimon Santos Jr., Chief of Staff of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), said the military is ready to assist the PNP in implementing the community quarantine measures.
He noted that the different military units were earlier directed to prepare their contingency measures to make the enforcement of a lockdown in Metro Manila possible "without compromising our peace and security operations."
"This includes the availability of units and personnel, emergency medical teams, availabilty of critical logistics and supplies, and preparation of personal protective equipment for soldiers and other personnel who will be tapped to assist the PNP," Santos said.
The PNP and military are expected to setup checkpoints in the borders of Metro Manila cities and nearby provinces so that the movement of the people in and out of NCR will be restricted. Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año had said that workers who are living in nearby provinces but have work in National Capital Region will be allowed entry and exit as long as a work ID is presented to law enforcers. The President had earlier placed the entire Philippines under a Public State of Emergency, and enjoined all government agencies and local government units to render full assistance and cooperation to curtail and eliminate the threat of COVID-19. Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa, PNP Chief, said that around 40,000 cops from NCRPO and national support units (NSUs) will be fielded to implement necessary measures in the event of a Metro Manila lockdown.
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