200 cops, servicemen to man San Jose Del Monte quarantine checkpoints

Around 200 police officers and military servicemen will man eight quarantine control points along the boundary of San Jose Del Monte, Bulacan and neighboring towns.

According to Emil Sumangil’s report on “24 Oras,” this was to ensure that no unauthorized individuals will be able to enter the city once it implements stricter modified enhanced community quarantine guidelines on Monday.

“Mayroon tayong mga augmentation na personnel from the [Philippine National Police] and army that in case na mayroong mga mag-pumilit ay talagang hindi namin papayagan,” San Jose Del Monte Mayor Arthur Robes said.

“Hindi naman para sa amin ‘to, eh. Gusto namin na ma-proteksyonan ‘yung majority of our people,” Robes added.

Authorities were also firm that anyone violating quarantine protocols, especially those not wearing face masks amid the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, would be arrested.

“Minsan sinasabi nila nakakalimutan. Minsan naman ‘yung hindi proper ‘yung pag we-wear nila ng face mask, ‘yung hindi na co-cover ‘yung nose,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Vic Domingo, City Police chief, said.

Though businesses in the city will remain open, residents need a quarantine pass in order to leave.

Residents who are working outside the city have also been advised to stay near their respective workplaces as the local government will no longer allow anyone but doctors to enter starting Monday.

Meanwhile, the local government on Thursday clarified that there would be no lockdown in the area. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News