Barangay quarantine passes not a national policy – NCRPO

The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) on Friday emphasized that the barangay quarantine pass was not a policy that was included in the government's guidelines on the enhanced community quarantine.

At a press briefing, NCRPO chief Police Major General Debold Sinas explained that if an unauthorized resident attempted to pass through a control point, the resident would still not be allowed through just because he or she possessed a barangay quarantine pass.

"Ang quarantine pass is not a national policy so, therefore, maski may quarantine pass ka tapos dumaan ka doon sa checkpoints natin, kung di ka naman nakalista sa authorized na magpass, di ka pa rin palampasin," said Sinas.

"Kasi 'yung quarantine pass na 'yun para sa specific area lang… that is the guideline, hindi po puwedeng gumawa ng sariling guidelines 'yung sa baba na di kinonsulta sa higher ups," he added.

The government only allowed specific individuals to pass through control points amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine. Among those allowed to pass are medical health workers, supermarket staff, bank employees, farmers, fishers, as well as media personnel.

An enhanced community quarantine was in effect over Luzon until April 13.

Meanwhile, the Department of the Interior and Local Government urged local government units not to misinterpret the national government's guidelines. — DVM, GMA News