Task force orders intensified police presence in bus terminals

The Joint Task Force COVID Shield on Tuesday directed police commanders to intensify police visibility in bus terminals as some provincial buses would resume operations on Wednesday, September 30.

In a statement, JTF COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said police presence in bus terminals would help establish discipline among commuters.

“We need to ensure that both the bus company employees and the passengers will observe the minimum health safety standard protocol especially on the aspects of wearing face masks and face shields and the observation of physical distancing inside the passenger buses,” Eleazar said.

Eleazar said the police presence in bus terminals is also in line with the directive of PNP chief Police General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan on marshalling of public transportation amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Our presence in bus terminals and other possible bus stops is not only for peace and order purposes but also in compliance with the mandate given to us to protect as many people from coronavirus infection by strictly implementing the quarantine rules,” he said.

Meanwhile, Eleazar called on passengers to remain vigilant against those who violate quarantine protocols inside bus terminals and passenger buses.

“We assure the public of our immediate response and proper actions for any quarantine violation reports and complaints we would receive with regard to the operation of provincial buses,” Eleazar said.

Twelve routes or 286 provincial buses have been allowed to resume operations. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News