BY GILBERT P. BAYORAN
Western Visayas police chief Brig. Gen. Rene Pamuspusan yesterday ordered the strict implementation of health protocols, following observations by the Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield of blatant violations of motorcycle-riding rules, drinking sessions, and other quarantine violations that were posted on social media.
In addition to the regular visibility operation on reports and information received through police hotlines, Pamuspusan also ordered police chiefs to actively monitor posting on Facebook and other social media sites for quarantine violations.
He also reminded them to intensify police visibility in transport hubs and other places of convergence to ensure that drivers and passengers are properly observing the minimum health safety standard protocols such as wearing of face masks and shields, as well as physical distancing.
Random mobile checkpoints and surprise inspections on public transportations will also be part of the daily activities of ground commanders, Pamuspusan said in a statement issued by the Police Regional Office.
Police chiefs were also ordered to coordinate with officials of various transportation groups to educate their members and for them to police their own ranks, as Pamuspusan encouraged the general public to report violations to the nearest police stations.
The Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office is also assisting the Bacolod City Police Office in the implementation of border check up points outside of Bacolod City.
Lt. Col. Ariel Pico, spokesperson of the Bacolod City Police Office, said yesterday that they have been observing full alert status since Sept. 5, as they are prohibiting leisure travel to Bacolod City from Sept. 6 to 19, in line with the executive order issued by Mayor Evelio Leonardia.
The BCPO has set up 35 inner and outer border control points all over the city.*
