Tempo

TIGHT GUARD IN NCR BORDERS

- By AARON RECUENCO

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.

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 (COVID19) 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.

 ?? (Jansen Romero) ?? MANILA police set up a checkpoint at Divisoria in Binondo to strictly enforce the health protocols against the spread of COVID-19 during the Yuletide season.
(Jansen Romero) MANILA police set up a checkpoint at Divisoria in Binondo to strictly enforce the health protocols against the spread of COVID-19 during the Yuletide season.

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