Police forces were deployed in all entry points of Metro Manila as the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has re-intensified the strict implementation of the measures against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the metropolis.
NCRPO director Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao said part of the intensified measures is a more strict security check for those entering Metro Manila coming from the provinces of Bulacan, Rizal, Cavite and Laguna.
“This is not only about health protocol implementation, this is also about anti-criminality measures especially against terrorism,” said Danao.
The strict security measures at the borders of Metro Manila, according to Danao, are complemented with aggressive anti-crime measures in all areas of the metropolis, especially those which have a history of being hiding places and operational areas of criminal elements.
Criminal activities have always been expected to rise during the Christmas season and health experts have been warning that the complacency of the people during the holiday season may lead to a spike of COVID-19 cases especially in Metro Manila.
“The threat is still there, we should not become too complacent and this is the reason why we have to be strict again,” said Danao.
The strict implementation of the health protocols somehow confirms a police document purportedly under the instruction of Lt. Col. Hansel Marantan based on the order of Danao about the alleged covert deployment on the proper implementation of Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ) in Metro Manila.
Based on the document, among those which will be strictly implemented are wearing of face masks and face shields in public places and other places of convergence, physical distancing, the required capacity in shopping malls and other area where people frequently go to during Christmas, observance of one-seat apart in public utility vehicles, and prohibition of minors in shopping malls.
The document, purportedly issued to all District Directors of Metro Manila, was allegedly issued on December 19.
Danao was quick to deny that he issued such an order to implement an MECQ-like restriction in Metro Manila.
“It is an unsigned memo so definitely it is not an official document and it is only a task force Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-MEID) which could announce that (MECQ),” said Danao.
“If there is any, it is just a recommendation on our part so definitely the memo that was purportedly leaked is fake news,” he added. (Aaron Recuenco)
