Police to reestablish checkpoints, bring back SAF

THE Philippine National Police (PNP) will again establish checkpoints in strategic areas and redeploy Special Action Force (SAF) personnel to ensure compliance to health protocols, especially in Metro Manila.

Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar,

PNP officer-in-charge, said policemen manning checkpoints will inspect vehicles and check whether occupants are wearing face masks and observing physical distancing.

PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana said the SAF will be tapped to man checkpoints in areas with high cases of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

"Magkakaroon ng deployment, merong additional number coming from SAF so it is also an indication na talagang seryoso na ang pagharap ng gobyerno sa usapin ng pagkalat ng Covid19,”

he said.

Usana said policemen will again be deployed in markets, malls, transport terminals and other areas of convergence, including tourist destinations.

In a televised press briefing, Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said the increased police presence in areas with high Covid cases is a national policy which will be implemented by the Department of the Interior and Local Government through the PNP.

He said the PNP will be assisted by barangay safekeeping personnel, especially in looking out for mass gatherings.

The PNP will also be imposing the twoweek unified curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. starting March 15 in Metro Manila.

Violators of curfew hours will be penalized based on existing city ordinances. (Third Anne PeraltaMalonzo / SunStar Philippines)