MANILA, Philippines — Police will strictly implement health protocols along the Manila Bay area as the government closes to the public the controversial “white sand beach.”
Newly-installed Police Lt. Col. Alex Daniel, officer-in-charge of Ermita police said the “white sand beach” can only be viewed at the footbridge but it will also be heavily guarded to prevent massing of crowds.
“Sarado po ngayon yung baywalk sand. May harang at may gwardya po dun na nakatalaga. Doon lang sila (publiko) dadaan sa sidewalk at sa footbridge,” Daniel told dzBB on Tuesday when sought for clarification about police enforcement in Manila Bay.
(For now, the baywalk sand is closed. We cordoned off the area. It is heavily guarded. People can just go to the sidewalk or footbridge.)
“Nung nakaraan nagstay sila (public) doon. Sa ngayon, wala silang papasukan sa baywalk sands kaya wala silang dapat intayin kaya dapat tuloy tuloy lang ang paglakad (sa footbridge),” he added.
(Last time, people were staying at the footbridge. For now, since the baywalk is closed they will not stay there so they must continue walking at the footbridge.)
Daniel reiterated that the coastline is heavily guarded upon orders of Manila Mayor Isko Moreno.
Moreno ordered the closure of the white sand area because the white sand project drew large crowds over the weekend which was criticized as visitors are not following health guidelines amid COVID-19 pandemic.
“Sa ngayon, pinautos ng Honorable Mayor (Isko Moreno) ang pagsasara ng ating Manila Baywalk Sands kasi sa nangyari po katulad nung nakaraang araw,” he said.
Daniel also assured the public that they have enough law enforcers who will secure the area for 24 hours daily.
The Manila Public Information Office also confirmed to INQUIRER.net that Moreno ordered police to strictly guard the Manila Bay white sand coastline.
“He (Moreno) also ordered Lt Col ALex Daniel to strictly guard the area,” read the statement when sought for confirmation about the closure of the Manila Baywalk area.
Over the weekend, a large group of people violated social distancing rules after rushing to see the coastline of Manila Bay, which was transformed into “white sand beach” due to the crushed dolomite.
The supposed failure to impose lockdown rules led to the relief of Ermita police station commander Lt. Col. Ariel Caramoan last Sunday. Daniel was then appointed to take over Caramoan’s post in Ermite police.