Stricter ECQ measures vs. private motorists implemented nationwide

MANILA: With quarantine violators exceeding 130,000 (Luzon with 80,180, Visayas with 23,781, and Mindanao with 26,216) and confirmed COVID-19 infections now at 6,459, the government has announced that new and stricter enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) measures versus private vehicles are now in place nationwide.

“The expansion of the operations against these private vehicles which may have unauthorized persons outside residence (UPOR) inside is part of our Chief PNP’s order to further intensify measures against these hardheaded people,” said Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield commander and Deputy Chief for Operations of the Philippine National Police (PNP).

All regional directors of the PNP are now directed to do checks on all private vehicles to determine if the driver/passengers are violating ECQ rules and regulations setup by the COVID-19 Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF).

Violators will be issued temporary operator’s permit (TOP) or ordinance violation receipt (OVR) and other citation tickets.

A total of 115 dedicated control points have been setup in strategic locations nationwide in addition to the mobile checkpoints on EDSA and other major roads in Metro Manila, and the presence of PNP-Highway Patrol Group patrolling the National Capital Region.

“We will continuously do this to send a message that we are serious in the implementation of home quarantine and social distancing. So, we are warning private car owners and drivers of non-cargo vehicles not to engage in non-essential travels because they will certainly be apprehended,” said HPG director, Brig. Gen. Eliseo Cruz.

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