Security tight at NCR border control points

Motorists passing through borders of the National Capital Region on Monday had to patiently wait for their turn as police inspected their documents on the second day of tightened security at checkpoints.

At the Batasan-San Mateo Road at the boundary of Quezon City and Rizal province, the lines of motorcycles and cars, vans and other vehicles became long approaching the checkpoint, according to a report by James Agustin on GMA News' Unang Balita.

Only authorized persons outside residence (APOR) were allowed to go through by personnel of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

Individuals had to present their IDs or certificates of employment and explain the purpose of their trip. Vehicles found to be transporting children were ordered to return to where they came from. 

Some workers left their homes earlier to allot enough time to get processed at the checkpoint.

Mahaba na ang pila ng mga sasakyan sa Batasan-San Mateo Road kung saan may nakapwesto na checkpoint ang pulisya. Ang mga motorista, hinahanapan ng ID. @gmanews pic.twitter.com/FQ0AQKuAq2

— James Agustin (@_jamesJA) August 1, 2021

79 quarantine control points

In a television interview Monday, PNP spokesperson Police Brigadier General Ronaldo Olay said police have set up 79 quarantine control points at the borders of NCR Plus.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita,  Olay said only authorized persons outside residence including consumers of essential goods and workers of essential industries will be allowed to pass the borders.

“Meron tayong 79 na na-establish na na quarantine control points sa NCR Plus area (We already have 79 quarantine control points established at the NCR Plus area),” he said.

The stricter quarantine classification in the NCR will be effective on August 6. However, Olay said the police already controlled the mobility of people from the region to avoid the spread of COVID-19.

“Ang ina-assume nga natin na ang epicenter ay nandito sa Metro Manila. Kaya ayaw natin na yung mga carrier unaware sila ay uuwi sa probinsya at lalong kumalat ang COVID-19,” he said.

(We are assuming that the epicenter is Metro Manila. So we don’t want unaware carriers of the disease to go back to their provinces and spread COVID-19)

According to Olay, the police will be stricter in implementing enhanced community quarantine on August 6, considering that only few businesses will be allowed with limited capacity.

The QCPD said the tightened security measures are in preparation for the strict enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to be imposed on Metro Manila from August 6 to 20 as part of measures to prevent the further transmission of the Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Meanwhile, a checkpoint was also established on Ortigas Avenue Extension at the boundary of Pasig City and Antipolo City, Rizal, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita.

Motorcycle riders were made to stop and were reminded that only APOR are allowed to travel.

On Marcos Highway at the boundary of Marikina City and Cainta, Rizal, police were highly visible as they advised motorists to always bring their documents to prove their identities and the purpose of their trips.

Police also checked motorists' documents at checkpoints at the boundaries of Valenzuela City and Meycauayan, Bulacan; Sta. Rosa, Laguna and Cavite; and Manila and Bacoor City, Cavite via the Coastal Road and South Luzon Expressway, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita.

Those found to have non-essential travel, such as a van with passengers who will just go sightseeing, were ordered to turn back to their place of origin.

Vehicles from Metro Manila and exiting the North Luzon Expressway in Marilao, Bulacan were also subjected to checking of documents.

Security was also tight at other border control points, such as the one on Mabini Street and Magsaysay Road, the boundary of Barangay Tunasan in Muntinlupa City and San Pedro City, Laguna, according to a report by Mao dela Cruz on Dobol B TV.

Checkpoint sa border ng Brgy. Tunasan, Muntinlupa City at San Pedro City, Laguna, hinigpitan na; mga hindi nakasuot ng face shield, hindi pinalulusot. | via Mao dela Cruz pic.twitter.com/HhTGR5EfIn

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 1, 2021

Non-APOR and those found not complying with health protocols such as wearing of face mask and face shield inside public transportation vehicles were not allowed to enter Muntinlupa City.

Meanwhile, in Manila, personnel of the Manila Police District were already at checkpoints within the city, according to a report by Manny Vargas on Dobol B TV.

The checkpoints were on C3 Road at the boundary of Manila and Navotas, and Rizal Avenue and R. Papa at the boundary of Manila and Caloocan City.

Those not wearing face masks properly were reminded by authorities to keep their masks on.

The MPD also reminded commuters in public transportation vehicles to wear face shields on top of their face masks.

Motorcycle riders are asked if they are APOR.

Mga tauhan ng Manila Police District, nakaantabay sa pagpapatupad ng mas mahigpit na checkpoints. | via @VargasMannysen pic.twitter.com/QHRLTYm4vx

— DZBB Super Radyo (@dzbb) August 1, 2021

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Saturday directed the Joint Task Force COVID Shield to enforce quarantine control points at the boundaries of the NCR Plus areas starting 12 a.m. on Sunday, August 1.

According to the DILG, the move is aimed at making sure only APOR will be allowed to travel in and out the NCR Plus.

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año reminded police personnel to allow the free movement of cargo or delivery vehicles, especially those bringing food across all quarantine control points.

The Philippines' COVID-19 cases reached 1,597,689 on Sunday after 8,735 new infections were reported.

Of this number, 63,646 are active, 1,506,027 recovered, and 28,016 died. — with Joviland Rita/KG/RSJ, GMA News