Eleazar: PNP ready in case of ECQ extension in NCR

The Philippine National Police is prepared should the enhanced community quarantine in Metro Manila be extended, its chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said on Wednesday.

In a statement, Eleazar said the PNP will just do its part and enforce the decision of the national government and health experts.

“Our Metro Manila mayors and the IATF are in the better position to decide on whether or not the ECQ in NCR would be extended,” he said.

Eleazar also reminded police commanders to ensure the welfare and safety of police personnel, who should observe minimum public health standards such as wearing of face masks and face shields.

On Tuesday, the Department of Health said the ECQ currently in effect in the National Capital Region (NCR) may be extended due to the increasing number of COVID-19 cases.

Undersecretary Maria Rosario Vergeire added that the matter will still be discussed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

“Nandiyan lagi 'yung posibilidad because based on our projections, kahit magkaroon tayo ng dalawang linggong ECQ, patuloy pong tataas ang mga kaso natin,” she said in an interview on GMA News’ Unang Balita.

(There is always that possibility because based on our projections, even if we have two weeks of ECQ, the number of COVID-19 cases will continue to rise.)

Metro Manila was placed under ECQ las August 6 and will last up to the 20th in light of the threat of the more transmissible Delta coronavirus variant in the country. — Joviland Rita/RSJ, GMA News