Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, chief of the NCRPO. (File photo by NOY MORCOSO / INQUIRER.net)
MANILA, Philippines — Minors who will go to crowded places in Metro Manila and are not supervised by their parents in view of the existing class suspension will be told to go home by the police, Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, director of the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO), said Wednesday.
The class suspension covering March 10 to 14 was earlier ordered by President Rodrigo Duterte as a preventive measure against the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“We agreed upon that in places of convergence, minors [below 18 years old] who are unsupervised will be cautioned by the police officers to go back home. In the first place, classes are suspended for them to stay at home and not to hangout or meet with their friends,” Sinas said in a statement.
“Similarly, we will also fully and strictly implement curfew hours for minors at night,” he added.
These measures will be enforced on those below 18 years old, according to Sinas.
The exact time for the curfew per city will depend on the policy of respective local government units, according to Maj. Britz Estadilla, NCRPO spokesperson.
“I call for everyone especially the parents to keep an eye on your children. Let them stay at home and keep them away from places like internet cafe, markets and malls,” added Sinas.
He also placed the NCRPO in heightened alert status, “with the mindset of utilizing resources in NCRPO to help ensure the prevention of the virus’ transmission and immediate response to any incident that may transpire in Metro Manila.”