DOT welcomes revival of tourist police units

MANILA, Philippines — Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat on Friday welcomed the the reactivation of the tourist police units, saying it would hasten the tourism industry’s recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Puyat referred to the announcement of Philippine National Police chief Police Gen. Archie Gamboa, that the Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (Topcop), would be revived in areas where quarantine restrictions have been eased.

“Travel for tourists and nontourists alike will be safer with Topcop strictly enforcing health protocols and guidelines in areas under the modified general community quarantine,” Puyat said in a statement.

—Jerome Aning