PNP orders dismantling of barangay checkpoints for uniform quarantine rules

Police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar has ordered the dismantling of all barangay checkpoints along national and provincial roads to enforce uniform quarantine guidelines against COVID-19.

This directive aims to ensure the smooth movement of essential goods and prevent confusion regarding Authorized Persons Outside Residence (APOR).

The Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield (JTF CV Shield) commander noted that some barangay checkpoints were implementing their own rules, contradicting the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) guidelines.

Eleazar emphasized that President Duterte's order is clear: IATF guidelines must prevail.

The order aligns with directives from Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año.

Only PNP checkpoints are permitted on national and provincial roads, with PNP personnel authorized to inspect cargo trucks.

Barangay checkpoints are allowed only on interior roads, subject to prior coordination with and supervision by the local police.

This measure is crucial to prevent local government units from enforcing rules inconsistent with IATF guidelines and to avoid confusion and delays in cargo movement.