SAF troops to help enforce Navotas lockdown rules; no need to panic – NCRPO

NCRPO chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas. INQUIRER.net file photo / Noy Morcoso

MANILA, Philippines — The presence of Special Armed Forces (SAF) troops in Navotas City will not cause panic but will instead be a reminder to residents to adhere to lockdown protocols under local government directives, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Major Gen. Debold Sinas said Thursday.

“Hindi naman. Ipapakita na tumulong sa’tin ang SAF (Special Armed Forces). Ito ay pag-remind sa mga tao natin na nandyan po kami. Ang SAF, pulis din po ‘yan na magpaalala na sumunod tayo sa direktiba ng Navotas na lockdown,” the NCRPO chief said in a dzBB interview.

(No it will not. We will just show them that SAF is helping us. This is to remind to our people  that we are here. The SAF troops are also policemen who will remind residents to follow directives of the Navotas local government.)

Navotas City Mayor Toby Tiangco ordered a  city-wide total lockdown from 5 a.m. on July 16 to 11:59 p.m on July 29,2020.

Previously, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Joint Task Force COVID Shield Commander, said 348 law enforcers will assist lockdown enforcement in Navotas.

Tiangco said in a previous report that quarantine facilities in the city are already at full capacity while COVID-19 cases are still increasing.

To date, Navotas City has 1,074 confirmed cases of COVID-19 with 69 deaths and 344 recoveries.

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