PNP-HPG to conduct mobile inspection of motorists

MANILA: Don’t be surprised the next time you’re on EDSA when a motorcycle-riding police officer sidles up next to your vehicle and flags you down for inspection.

The Philippine National Police (PNP) has deployed its Highway Patrol Group (HPG) to conduct random inspection of vehicles on the streets on Metro Manila and check if its passengers are in violation of quarantine protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force-Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID).

"Habang tumatakbo po kayo, magugulat na lang kayo tatabihan kayo ng isang motorcycle rider ng HPG. Papatabihin po kayo para tanungin po kung kayo ba ay authorized individual (While you’re driving, you might be surprised to see an HPG motorcycle rider come up beside you. They will ask you to pull over and check if you’re an ‘authorized individual’),” said HPG director, Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz.

The PNP has moved their control points on EDSA to other major roads to ease the traffic jam is has caused since the quarantine level in the National Capital Region was lowered to MECQ (modified enhanced community quarantine).

“We will still have random checkpoints. These are stationary, we will spend about two to four hours in these areas and then we move to continuously check if all motorists plying our roads are authorized individuals," added Cruz.

Motorists caught violating quarantine protocols will face penalties, which includes the issuance of a violation receipt from either the Land Transportation Office or the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority.

Photo from the Department of Transportation

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