Total lockdown to be implemented in Sampaloc, Manila

Manila Mayor Isko Moreno has confirmed that a lockdown will be implemented in Sampaloc, Manila due to the high number of coronavirus cases in the district as well as violations of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

In a tweet on Sunday evening, the Manila Public Information Office said that the schedule of the lockdown has yet to be announced.

In an earlier 24 Oras Weekend report said that the Manila City government had been studying the possibility of implementing a 48-hour  total lockdown of Sampaloc.

According to Sampaloc Station Commander Police Lieutenant Colonel John Guiagui, a total lockdown would mean that all quarantine passes would be canceled and all residents would be prohibited from leaving their homes, but for a few exceptions.

"Ang lockdown is basically nasa loob lang sila ng bahay. All those that are needed will be provided by the government. There will be an ample time for the residents to be ready. Sa ngayon lang is nako-condition na na magkakaroon ng lockdown," he said in a report on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

As of Saturday, April 18, there have been a total of 432 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Manila, 95 of whom were located in Sampaloc. The area is also near Quezon City, which currently has the highest number of cases in the Philippines.

Under the lockdown, only medical personnel, emergency responders, security services personnel, and employees of pharmacies, drug stores, and funeral parlors would be allowed to leave their homes.

Under the total lockdown, police and military will be tasked to patrol all the streets in the area which will be closed to traffic except for Blumentritt, España Boulevard, Lacson Street, Dimasalang Street, CM Recto, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Nicanor Reyes Street, and Legarda Street.

For his part, Barangay 435 Captain Lenin Bacud said officials are now preparing for the eventuality of an actual total lockdown, with provisions of rice and water for residents in his area.

"Ito, kung two days lang naman siguro, kakayanin pa namin i-provide, house to house din. May megaphone kaming ginagamit kasama 'yung barangay officials ko na masisipag, at ine-explain namin kung anong mangyayari," he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon from March 17 to April 13. It has since been extended to last until April 30 given the rising number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). — Jon Viktor D. Cabuenas/BM, GMA News