All local police commanders have been tasked to coordinate with local government units in order to assess existing quarantine protocols, and draw up security adjustments in the interest of public health and safety,
Philippine National Police (PNP) chief PGen. Guillermo Eleazar gave the directive after health experts predict that the country will average 20,000 new COVID-19 infections per day.
The PNP chief also instructed Joint Task Force COVID-19 Shield to identify the best practices of local government units which can be replicated in areas with a high number of COVID-19 cases.
Eleazar, meanwhile, mentioned that police have accosted a high number of people who violated the minimum public health standards and quarantine rules.
"Sa gitna ng patuloy na pagtaas ng mga kaso ng COVID ay patuloy din ang pagdami ng mga lumalabag sa mga alituntuning pagkaligtasan na inilatag ng ating pamahalaan," Eleazar said in a statement.
"Naniniwala ang inyong PNP na ang first line of defense sa COVID-19 ay ang pagsasa-isip at pagsasa-puso ng determinasyon ng bawat isa sa atin na hindi tayo mahawa at ang ating mga pamilya sa nakakamatay na virus na ito," he added.
Eleazar also urged the public to avail the free COVID-19 vaccination offered by the government.