DILG opposes removal of fixed checkpoints in Metro Manila amid ECQ

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday opposed the suggestion of removing fixed checkpoints and setting random ones in Metro Manila amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), its spokesperson said.

Interviewed on GMA News’ Unang Balita, DILG spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the department will talk to the Philippine National Police (PNP) which made the suggestion.

“Para po sa amin sa DILG, mahihirapan po tayong i-implement 'yung ganitong polisiya (For us in the DILG, it would be hard to implement this policy),” Malaya said.

Earlier, it was reported that PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said they are considering removing checkpoints in Metro Manila, which are causing chokepoints and heavy traffic conditions.

For him, the police force should be deployed in areas where they are needed more such as in vaccination sites and the distribution of cash assistance.

Malaya clarified that the PNP meant to suggest setting up random checkpoints only and not removing checkpoints altogether. 

The DILG spokesperson pointed out that checkpoints are the only means to assure that curfew and the stay-at-home order are being enforced.

“Kung wala po tayong checkpoints papaano po natin mai-enforce ang curfew (If we don’t have checkpoints, how can we enforce curfew)?” he said.

“Pangalawa, ang standard nga po na general rule sa panahon ng ECQ is stay at home unless you are APOR (authorized persons outside residence). Papaano po natin 'yan mai-enforce kung wala tayong checkpoints?” he added.

(Second, the standard general rule during ECQ is stay at home unless you are APOR. How can we enforce that if there are no checkpoints?)

Metro Manila has been under ECQ, the strictest measures, since August 6 which will end on August 20 amid the surge in COVID-19 cases given the spread of the Delta variant.

Aside from checking documents of motorists and individuals, the PNP has been checking too if health and safety protocols are followed at border control points. —KG, GMA News