Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar. INQUIRER file photo / NIÑO JESUS ORBETA
MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Thursday reminded food delivery riders to observe minimum public health safety standards and quarantine protocols in view of reports of violations during the lockdown in Metro Manila.
“Sa mga nakalipas na araw, ilang ulit na nakatanggap ang inyong PNP ng mga reklamo at sumbong tungkol sa mga paglabag ng mga delivery riders ng minimum public health safety protocols sa kanilang mga waiting areas sa iba’t-ibang lugar sa Metro Manila,” said PNP Gen. Gullerimo Eleazar in a statement.
(In the past few days, the PNP has received several complaints and allegations about violations by delivery riders of the minimum public health safety protocols in their waiting areas in various places in Metro Manila.)
“Dahil dito, inatasan ko na ang ating mga chiefs of police at station commanders na makipag-ugnayan sa kani-kanilang mga LGUs at pati na rin sa mga manager ng business establishments upang mahigpit na maipatupad ang mga protocols laban sa COVID-19,” he added.
(Because of this, I have instructed our chiefs of police and station commanders to liaise with their respective LGUs as well as with the managers of business establishments to strictly enforce the protocols against COVID-19.)
According to Eleazar, there are existing laws and ordinances for the observance of minimum public health safety standards and quarantine protocols which must be strictly followed.
Despite this, the PNP chief reminded police personnel to observe maximum tolerance and to politely call the attention of delivery riders caught violating the guidelines.
“Alam natin ang hirap at sakripisyo ng ating mga delivery riders ngayong pandemya. Pero kung may mapapansin ang ating kapulisan na mga riders na hindi sumusunod sa minimum public health safety standards at quarantine protocols ay tatawagin natin ang kanilang pansin at paalalahanan,” Eleazar said.
(We know the hardship and sacrifice of our delivery riders in this pandemic. But if our police notice riders who do not follow the minimum public health safety standards and quarantine protocols, we will call their attention and remind them.)
The entire Metro Manila is currently in the middle of an enhanced community quarantine which started on August 6 and will last until August 20 due to the rising cases of the more-transmissible COVID-19 Delta variant.
Under the strictest quarantine measure, only essential establishments and industries are allowed to operate.
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