PNP urged to find win-win solution to ‘no hatid-sundo’ rule

At least two senators urged authorities to reconsider the policy on barring non-authorized personnel outside of residence (APOR) from fetching essential workers during the two-week enhanced community quarantine period  in Metro Manila.

In a statement, Senator Panfilo Lacson said the Philippine National Police (PNP) should take a "second look" on its policy as it is "impractical and illogical."

The senator added that  police must find a win-win solution for essential workers.

"Maybe there is a way to satisfy both health concerns and a little convenience for our APORs who need to work to feed their families, or render indispensable service to others, like health workers and other frontliners," said Lacson, partly in Filipino.

Senator Koko Pimentel also took to Twitter to express his frustration on the "no hatid-sundo" rule, adding that it would inconvenience health workers.

"IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases) and PNP need to review this rule," Pimentel said

"There are some doctors who render 'duty' for four consecutive days and need to be driven to and from their workplace. Why make life more difficult for our frontliners?" he added, with some words written in all caps.

IATF and PNP need to review this rule. There are some doctors who render “duty” for four consecutive days and NEED TO BE DRIVEN TO AND FROM WORKPLACE. Why make life more difficult for our frontliners? https://t.co/C8JVG8LlVB

— Senator Koko Pimentel (@senkokopimentel) August 4, 2021

The PNP had said the policy will be imposed over apprehensions that allowing non-APORs to fetch essential workers will be abused.  

Instead, PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar advised health workers to take public transportation.

The Commission on Human Rights earlier called on the PNP to also review the ban as there is no guarantee that public utility vehicles are enough for essential workers during the ECQ.—LDF, GMA News