PNP strictly implements lockdown rules

The Philippine National Police (PNP) have intensified measures to prevent unnecessary travel following the presence of significant number of vehicles on major highways during the lockdown period.

President Rodrigo Duterte directed the PNP Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to strictly check private vehicles to determine whether the driver and passengers belong to the list of persons authorized to leave their residence.

“If the driver or any of the passengers is not authorized, HPG will issue LTOV (LTO violation receipt) or MMDA OVR (Ordinance Violation Receipt) tickets against the drivers of those private vehicles transporting unauthorized persons outside residence as identified by JTFCV Shield,” explained Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) spokesman and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles.

Exempted are frontline workers from medical and funeral services, pharmacists, bank employees, grocery and supermarket personnel, restaurant staff, government staff, members of media, security service employees and emergency responders.

The PNP recorded 108,088 people who have violated the rules under the enhanced community quarantine as of April 13.

The IATF reported to Pres. Duterte their observation that many people seemed to have come out of their homes following the long Holy Week break.

Nograles also appealed for more understanding and cooperation from the public while the government imposes strict measures as part of efforts to contain the spread of the virus.

At least 38 motorists were apprehended for violating the quarantine guidelines as the PNP beefed up its presence along EDSA and other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz, director of HPG, said the motorists were caught driving even if they are not included in the national government’s list of authorized persons who can leave their homes during the enhanced community quarantine. Some were also sanctioned for not practicing social distancing inside their vehicles.

Gen. Cruz said at least 330 HPG personnel were deployed along EDSA and other main roads in response to reported increase in number of vehicles traveling along EDSA in the past days.

PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said the police will pick a spot on the highway with many vehicles and if they see more than one passenger, they will immediately apprehend the vehicle.

Eleazar presumed that people got bored and thought of going on a road trip since traffic was light.

At least 114,972 persons were accosted for curfew violations, of which 69,669 are in Luzon.