PNP backs monitoring of quarantine violations

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) reiterated its support for monitoring quarantine violators through social media, as it assured that privacy will not be compromised and immediate arrests will not take place.

LtGen. Guillermo Eleazar, commander of the PNP’s Joint Task Force Covid Shield, said some persons were apparently “challenging authorities with their defiance on quarantine protocols” through social media.

An example he raised was a drinking session in Cebu City, before the hard lockdowns were imposed, wherein a group of people were sharing a glass. It was found out later that one of the drinkers tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

In a similar situation, a policeman from the Western Visayas office, who participated in a gathering, turned out to be Covid-positive.

Eleazar’s proposal for quarantine monitoring last Saturday was met with an outcry from netizens who said the police could not even sanction its own people.

They cited the case of Metro Manila police chief MGen. Debold Sinas who was given a birthday party by his men last May while the region was still under strict lockdown.

Sinas has yet to be sanctioned by the PNP leadership, but charges have been filed against him and the policemen who joined the birthday bash.

His case has been downplayed by several officials including the chief implementer of the government’s action response against the pandemic, Carlito Galvez Jr., who had said the incident should not be treated as a big issue.

Eleazar said the privacy of a person would not be violated by the proposed monitoring of mass gatherings via social media.

“Let me clarify, we will not go into the privacy of our netizens who are posting. What we will just monitor are the blatant violations like drinking sessions and parties that we all know are still not allowed, especially at this time,” he said in a radio interview.

Eleazar also encouraged village officials to strengthen the reporting system for quarantine violations.

Violators woulg not be arrested outright, Eleazar said, and community service would instead be imposed for the first offense.

For the second offense, a fine will be imposed and only violators who are unruly and resist arrest will be brought to the police station.