The spokesman of the Philippine National Police (PNP) said on Sunday there is no need to reinforce policemen in Luzon amid the rising number of policemen being quarantined for possible coronavirus disease (COVID-19) infection.
PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said they still have enough policemen to man checkpoints and conduct police works relating to the implementation of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ), and at the same time, works relating to law enforcement.
“There still no need for reinforcement from other regions. In Luzon, we have more or less 70,000 PNP personnel,” said Banac.
“Those who were pulled out from the frontline are immediately replaced,” he added.
Based on the latest PNP data, a total of 14 policemen tested positive for COVID-19, two of them already died.
On the other hand, a total of 237 policemen are considered as Persons Under Investigation (PUI) while 1,620 others are Persons Under Monitoring (PUMs). All of them are under quarantine in various police facilities.
In order to ensure the safety of policemen on the frontline, Banac said PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa earlier ordered to procure more Personal Protective Equipment that include masks, gloves, protective gear, and disinfectant.
“We have enough supply of protective gears but this will not last if the ECQ drags for more days,” said Banac.
He, however, said that measures are now being undertaken by the PNP leadership to ensure enough supply of PPEs if the ECQ is extended. (Aaron Recuenco)
