MANILA: Commandos from an elite unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) have been drafted in to enforce strict quarantine measures introduced to limit the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak in the country.
Officials warned violators “not to test their patience” and said those who failed to cooperate would be arrested and could face up to six months in prison.
PNP chief, Gen. Archie Gamboa, said on Wednesday that members of the crack Special Action Force (SAF) had been called in due to widespread breaches of the government’s enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) regulations in several areas of the national capital region Metro Manila, which had been worst-affected by the virus outbreak.
“We will file a case against them (violators) ... (they) will surely be detained and they could be locked up for a longer time and will be mixed with other offenders,” the general warned during a radio interview, adding that detention centers were being established for the purpose.
According to PNP records, nearly 136,000 people had breached anti-virus measures, such as curfews and physical distancing since Filipino President Rodrigo Duterte imposed a Luzon-wide lockdown on March 15. While nearly 70 percent of the violators were let off with a warning, the rest had been charged in court.
“But it seems people are not learning. That is why I gave instructions yesterday ... arrest all violators,” Gamboa said.
On Tuesday, police Lt. Gen. Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, said that 116 SAF commandos – on board medium troop carriers (MTC) and multi-purpose armored vehicles (MPAV) – had been deployed in at least 10 areas of Metro Manila.
Eleazar said the commandos had been instructed to ensure that the ECQ protocol was “strictly enforced anytime, anywhere.”
He added: “They will assist the local police in enforcing the ECQ. We believe that the presence of our SAF commandos will further compel hard-headed people to behave and follow the ECQ.”
He warned citizens “not to test their patience,” and said: “There will be no double standards in the implementation of our ECQ so regardless of your social status, you will be arrested if you violate the home quarantine.”
Eleazar pointed out that the SAF had been divided into 12 teams with plans to increase the number if necessary.
SAF Director Maj. Gen. Amando Empiso said on Tuesday that enough forces were on standby to support the local police not only in Metro Manila but in other provinces too.
Meanwhile, Justice Undersecretary Mark Perete said on Wednesday that there was “legal ground for arresting persons who are not cooperating with the authorities,” adding that ECQ violators could face up to six months in jail.
As of Wednesday, there were 6,710 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the Philippines, with 446 deaths reported.
