PNP personnel to be deployed as ‘mystery passengers,’ too

STICK TO THE RULE Enforcing the “no vaccination, no ride” policy on Friday ahead of the Jan. 17 effectivity date announced by the government, a Manila policeman apparently doesn’t need to say much or even make eye contact. The “yantok” in his hand must be enough to say he means business. —MARIANNE BERMUDEZ

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) personnel will also be deployed as “mystery passengers” to ensure compliance to the “no vaccination, no ride” policy of the Department of Transportation (DOTr) on public utility vehicles in Metro Manila, PNP spokesperson Roderick Alba said on Tuesday.

“Yes, we will do this in the next coming days,” Alba said over Teleradyo when asked if the PNP will likewise deploy “mystery passengers,” an idea devised by the DOTr to find out who among passengers of mass transport have yet to get vaccinated in order to arrest the rising number of coronavirus cases in the country.

“We will not announce kung kailan o saan (if when and where),” he added.

The police spokesperson also said that these “mystery passengers” will take note of the public utility vehicles’ plate numbers as well as the routes they are plying, then report them to concerned authorities.

The DOTr began deploying so-called “mystery passengers” since Monday, the first day of “no vaccine no ride” policy implementation.

A lawmaker called on authorities to stop deploying “mystery passengers,” saying the measure is “extreme” and “unnecessary.”

The implementation of “no vaccination, no ride” — thus the deployment of “mystery passengers” — will last until Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3.

Metro Manila is under Alert Level 3 until January 31.

EDV