Eleazar reminds cops to observe guidelines in arresting ECQ violators

Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday warned cops to stick to the guidelines in arresting violators amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila.

In a statement, Eleazar  assured the public that cops will always observe the rule of law and follow the agreement with the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in handling health protocol violations.

“Sinisiguro kong susundin ng ating kapulisan ang mga nakasaad sa guidelines na pinirmahan ng DOJ at DILG tungkol sa paghandle ng mga insidente ng health protocol violations,” he said.

(I am assuring that our police will follow the guidelines stated in the agreement with the DOJ and DILG regarding the handling incident of health protocols violations)

Aside from this, he added that police personnel will also follow local ordinances.

Eleazar made the statement after Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra called on law enforcers to observe the protocols when making apprehensions, especially in areas placed under ECQ.

In June, the DOJ and the DILG signed the internal guidelines for law enforcers and government agencies in managing health protocol violations during community quarantine.

The joint memorandum circular clarified the roles of concerned government agencies in such incidents.

Eleazar vowed that cops involved in abuse in enforcing the health protocols will be held accountable. He pointed out that cops should give maximum tolerance and courtesy to violators.

In light of the threat of the Delta coronavirus variant in the country,  Metro Manila was placed under ECQ from August 6 to 20.

Other areas under EQC are Laguna, Ilo-Ilo City, Cagayan de Oro, from August 6 to 15. Bataan, on the other hand, will be under EQC from August 8 to 22.

Over 20,000 health protocol violations were recorded during the first day of the ECQ in NCR, according to the PNP. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News