PNP commanders told to stay vigilant amid ECQ extension

Police commanders are instructed to maintain vigilance following President Duterte's decision to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until April 30.

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, commander of the Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CoViD Shield), emphasized the extension requires vigorous confrontation of the COVID-19 pandemic and urged police commanders not to lower their guard against violators.

From March 17 to April 8, a total of 96,330 violators were apprehended nationwide, with the majority, 68,451 individuals, receiving warnings.

Of those apprehended, 4,460 were fined, 4,743 faced charges, and appropriate charges are pending for 18,676 individuals.

Reports indicated that some local police forces were not strictly enforcing home quarantine rules at quarantine control points (QCPs).

To improve enforcement, dedicated control points (DCPs) will now exclusively inspect cargo vehicles, while QCPs will focus on non-cargo vehicles to ensure stricter enforcement of authorized persons outside residence (APOR) guidelines.