Task force to add mobile checkpoints as NCR slips down to GCQ –Eleazar

Philippine National Police's Joint Task Force COVID Shield will deploy additional mobile checkpoints as the national capital region loosens down to general community quarantine after May 31, its commander said Friday.

"Dadagdagan din natin itong tinatawag natin na mobile checkpoints. Ito 'yung pinapangunahan ng Highway Patrol Group (HPG) na kung saan sa Oplan Habol at Oplan Sita nila, puwede silang mag-check ng sasakyan," Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said at a Laging Handa press briefing.

"Depende sa discretion ng mga pulis, puwedeng magbawas tayo ng fixed checkpoint at mag-adjust tayo sa mobile checkpoints," he added.

According to PNP-HPG director Police Brigadier General Eliseo Cruz, there are currently nine HPG checkpoints and 40 riders deployed in Metro Manila.

Eleazar pointed out that law enforcers expect a lot of people outside their residences due to the easing of quarantine measures.

"Basically from the point of view of law enforcement, alam po natin na mas marami ng industries ang allowed to operate, consequently mas maraming tao ang lalabas na authorized at mga sasakyan lalo na dito sa mga highly-urbanized areas," he said.

He reiterated that modified checkpoints would still be in place as well as the implementation of curfew in localities. Likewise, he reminded the public to avoid going out of their residences for leisure purposes.

So far, there are 4,398 quarantine control points and 115 dedicated control points nationwide, Eleazar had said.

President Rodrigo Duterte has approved the recommendation to ease quarantine restrictions in Metro Manila, placing it under GCQ beginning June 1.

Under GCQ, 10 to 50% of mass transport are allowed as well as 75% of the workforce per company to physically report back to work.

Presidential Spokesman Harry Roque defended Duterte's decision to place Metro Manila under GCQ despite warning from some experts that it was still premature to ease quarantine measures in the metro.

Roque emphasized that the government could not let its citizens stay out of work for too long as it adversely affects the Philippine economy.  —LBG, GMA News