Total lockdown starts in Barangay 156, Caloocan to address COVID-19 threat

Barangay 156 in Caloocan City went into total lockdown starting 12 a.m. on Wednesday, May 13, to address the threat of COVID-19.

The lockdown will last until Friday, May 15, according to a report of Mai Bermudez on GMA News' Unang Balita.

Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan ordered the three-day total lockdown due to the high number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the area.

Twenty-five cases of COVID-19 were recorded in Barangay 156, the most number among barangays in the city.

A total of 75 police officers and barangay tanod have been deployed to the barangay to ensure residents will not go out of their homes unless for emergency.

All entrances and exits to the barangay have been sealed off except for three streets, among them Sampaguita and Dose.

"Sana ay huwag niyo pong i-challenge 'yung program ng city government. Ito po ay programa ni Mayor Oca Malapitan na wala pong ibang hangarin kung 'di mai-stop po itong pagkahawa-hawa ng COVID-19," Police Colonel Dario Menor, chief of police of Caloocan City, said.

The local government said it will provide food packs for three days to residents.

Some residents said they were advised of the lockdown and were able to prepare for it.

Target group testing for COVID-19 will be done starting Wednesday on the elderly, children, and immuno-compromised residents.

Meanwhile, the immediate family of COVID-19 patients will undergo swab testing.

The local government said it will study if the lockdown should be extended further to seven or 14 days.

Liquor ban violation

Meanwhile, in nearby Barangay 171, three men were arrested after they were caught allegedly transporting 30 cases of brandy worth P100,000.

The suspects declined to comment about the matter. 

A liquor ban is in effect in Caloocan City effective March 23. —KG, GMA News