Batangas police to deploy more cops to man control points, says chief

The Batangas police will request an augmentation force from their regional office so that more cops can man control points and prevent residents from returning to their homes within the 14-kilometer danger zone, the provincial police chief said Thursday.

Interviewed on Balitanghali, Police Colonel Edwin Quilates said there are still Batangueños attempting to sneak back into their homes despite the mandatory evacuation implemented due to the unrest of the Taal Volcano.

The lockdown of certain towns in Batangas has led to tensions between authorities and residents.

“We have established at least 29 control points kung saan mga strategic area ‘yun papasok sa lockdown areas within the 14-kilometer radius,” Quilates said.

Authorities have opened up the Lemery-Taal bypass road in Batangas allowing stranded residents and motorists going towards San Jose to pass  after motorcycle riding residents found a small road bypassing the checkpoint. Photo taken on January 23, 2020. Raffy Tima

The provincial police chief noted that a highway near Mahayahay in Lemery offers many entryways into different towns which residents sometimes use to return to their homes.

“‘Yung critical highway na ‘yun, ‘pag bukas ‘yun talaga kasing madaling mapasok ang Agoncillo, Lemery, including San Nicolas… so titingnan namin kung anong magiging solusyon do'n. Naglagay kami ng additional control points sa area na ‘yun,” he said.

Quilates said he has already requested additional forces from Police Regional Office 4A in a bid to solve this problem.

“Makipag-cooperate [kayo] kasi marami pa ring nagpipilit talaga,” he urged Batangueños.

“In balancing between these properties and the cost of human lives, in the final analysis, mas mahalaga pa rin ang buhay ng tao.” — Julia Mari Ornedo/BM, GMA News