Danao to public: Impose self-discipline in welcoming new year amid pandemic

(File Photo) Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. INQUIRER file photo / RICHARD A. REYES

MANILA, Philippines — Metro Manila police chief, Brig. Gen. Vicente Danao Jr. on Thursday admitted that the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) can not monitor everything during the new year’s eve celebration, especially the public’s compliance to COVID-19 health protocols.

“We really have to admit na di natin kayang bantayan lahat… eto po kasing social distancing ay isang taon na nating iniimplement, sana po eh isipin natin na di lang social distancing ang binabantayan ng kapulisan, kasama rin po dyan ang anti-criminality, anti-terrorism,” Danao, acting director of NCRPO, said in an interview over DZBB.

(We really have to admit that we can’t monitor everything…we have been implementing social distancing for a year, keep in mind that the police do not only monitor social distancing, we also keep an eye on anti-criminality, anti-terrorism.)

“Kami po ay nakikiusap sa lahat, please cooperate. ‘Yun man lang magkaroon tayo ng self-imposed discipline along lalo na following the COVID health protocols, napakalaking tulong na ‘yan,” he added.

(We are asking the public to please cooperate. Let’s have a self-imposed discipline, especially in following the COVID health protocols, that would be a great help.)

On December 23, the Metro Manila Council (MMC), made up of the 17 mayors in Metro Manila, decided to ban firecrackers to avoid the risks of firecracker-related injuries and avert mass gatherings amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

MMC chairman and Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez added that firecracker ban violators will be fined and arrested.

Danao also urged everyone to use their money to buy food instead of firecrackers.

“I would encourage each and everyone…unang-una pandemic po ngayon, bakit po bibili kayo [ng paputok] mamaya magrereklamo tayo wala tayong pangkain. [Firecrackers are] very hazardous to our health…ibili na lang nating ng pagkain,” Danao said in an interview over DZBB.

(I would encourage each and everyone…first of all, there is an ongoing pandemic, why would you buy firecrackers then say that there is nothing to eat. Firecrackers are very hazardous to our health…use the money to buy food.)

“We would advise that instead of having the usual paputok eh siguro po ay magkalembang na lang tayo ng kaldero o lata,” Danao said.

(We would advise that instead of having the usual firecrackers, just use copper pots or cans to generate noise.)

JPV