NOW that the alert level in the National Capital Region (NCR) has been downgraded to Alert Level 2, which started today, November 5 until November 21, all Philippine National Police (PNP) unit commanders in the region were tasked to start shifting their focus on how to protect the public against criminal elements.
“Now that restrictions have been eased since the number of COVID-19 cases continue to drop, I have tasked all our unit commanders to intensify the campaign against criminality because I know that criminal elements will become bolder as they return to their illegal activities,” said PNP Chief, Police General Guillermo Eleazar.
“Life is still hard nowadays because of the effects of the pandemic that is why your PNP will continue to be part in protecting the hard-earned money of our kababayan,” he added.
The focus on anti-crime measures, according to PGen Eleazar, is important especially that more people are expected to go out on the days leading to the holiday season.
Aside from the easing of protocols, the IATF also approved the recommendation of the sub-Technical Working Group on Data Analytics to base the alert level assignments on data nearest to the enforcement date.
Starting December 1, alert level assignments shall be determined at every 15th and 30th of the month.
PGen Eleazar said he is also expecting PNP unit commanders especially in Metro Manila to adopt the best practices that were implemented at the height of the pandemic restrictions in order to restrict the movement of criminal elements, especially the motorcycle-riding criminals, in urban areas.
The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) was also instructed to ensure that all personnel are well-informed of the guidelines set under Alert Level 2 to avoid any confusion in enforcement.
He called on the public to cooperate with efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus by continuing to observe minimum public health standards.