PNP checkpoints to remain in Metro Manila: Report

The National Capital Region (NCR) is under the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) until August 20 to contain the rising number of COVID-19 Delta variant cases. ECQ is the strictest quarantine classification that limits movement to essential travel only.

Checkpoints will still be implemented says PNP Chief General Guillermo Eleazar [Photo: patrickroque01]

The Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) has released protocols that limit the movement of individuals to prevent the further spread of the COVID-19 Delta variant. One of the measures that are being implemented by the IATF is putting up several checkpoints in key locations in NCR.

Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APOR) are the only individuals allowed to move around Metro Manila. But, the IATF is also allowing Consumer APORs to go outside to buy food, and other essential goods as long as he/she has a quarantine pass. For the complete list of APORs as per IATF, click here.

Setting up checkpoints is one of the measures being implemented in Metro Manila to ensure that individuals outside their residences are either APORs or Consumer APORs. The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) shared that checkpoints are manned by the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, a team composed of the Philippine National Police (PNP), Armed Forces of the Philippines, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bureau of Fire Protection.

Only essential travel is allowed during ECQ

In a report by GMA News, the PNP is looking to remove checkpoints in Metro Manila. PNP Chief General Guillermo Eleazar cited that checkpoints are causing traffic buildups, acting as chokepoints that result in heavy traffic. As a countermeasure, Eleazar said that the PNP is conducting random checks at checkpoints to ease traffic buildup.

>>> Related News: PNP divides NCR into separate zones, further limiting movement

However, Eleazar has retracted his previous statement about checkpoints. The PNP Chief told Inquirer that checkpoints would remain within Metro Manila due to the number of recorded quarantine violations. Eleazar told Inquirer that “if there are still many violators, if many still go out of their homes, then we cannot remove the checkpoints.”

PNP could conduct random checkpoints to ease traffic buildup

The said statement pertains to the statement released by the PNP in regards to the number of quarantine violators. According to the PNP, there were more than 20,000 individuals who have been apprehended, fined, and warned for various violations of public health and safety guidelines on the first day of ECQ. Metro Manila posted the highest number of violators with 4,394. On the other hand, the PNP said that a total of 58 individuals were documented claiming to be APORs but failed to show proof or supporting documents.

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