Gamboa: Cops enough to enforce rules in MECQ areas; violators to be warned in the first days

Policemen are enough to ensure that quarantine protocols are in place in modified enhanced community quarantine areas, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa said on Tuesday.

"Sapat naman kasi dinivide naman natin 'yung ating mga puwersa at nakapagpahinga naman na because since then na naging GCQ na, so very kaunti na lang 'yung ginagamit nating kapulisan. It's just a matter of reorienting our policemen," Gamboa said at a press briefing.

The PNP chief advised his men to observe maximum tolerance amid the MECQ. He said in the first two to three days of MECQ in Metro Manila and high-risk provinces, warnings would be issued against quarantine violators as he believes that the public is also adjusting from the transition.

Gamboa also requested the public to cooperate with the authorities and not to provoke the policemen.

"Bibigyan natin ang publiko ng strict warning on the first initial days of violations kasi kung nag-a-adjust ang PNP, nag-a-adjust..." Gamboa said.

"Reminder ko lang, maximum tolerance on the part of PNP, especially the women and the elderly kung may lalabas mang elderly... maximum tolerance and sana naman the public will cooperate para naman di na mapilitan ang PNP na mag-impose ng regulation," he added.

Police earlier said quarantine checkpoints will be added in areas placed under MECQ. Aside from Metro Manila, the provinces of Bulacan, Laguna, Cavite, and Rizal are under MECQ.

The government has also reminded residents with the need to use quarantine passes in MECQ areas. — RSJ, GMA News