More cops to be deployed as Manila dolomite beach attracts 65,000 visitors

The Philippine National Police would deploy more personnel at the dolomite beach in Manila due to the numerous visitors to the spot amid the COVID-19 pandemic, PNP Chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said on Monday.

In a statement, Eleazar tasked the Manila Police District to ensure the area would not become a spreader location.

“Inatasan ko na ang director, MPD na magdagdag ng pulis sa dolomite area ng Manila Bay upang tiyakin na nasusunod ang minimum public health safety protocols,” he said.

(I ordered the director of the MPD to increase the police presence in the dolomite area of the Manila Bay to ensure that the minimum public health safety protocols were being observed)

On Sunday, the PNP said authorities temporarily stopped the entry of visitors when the crowd reached 4,000.

At the Laging Handa public briefing on Monday, MPD chief Brigadier General Leo Francisco said that a total of 65,000 visitors came to the dolomite beach on Sunday.

Eleazar instructed the MPD to coordinate with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources, dolomite beach administrators, and the local government to limit the number of visitors and the amount of time they stayed.

According to Francisco, they were working with the DENR as well as with the Department of Tourism for possible changes in the accommodation of visitors in the area. — DVM, GMA News