THE Philippine National Police (PNP) appealed to parents in the National Capital Region (NCR) to prioritize their kids’ safety and not to take them outside of their homes yet since children are still not allowed to go out under Alert Level 3.
PNP Chief, Police General Guillermo Eleazar said parents should still refrain from bringing their kids to public places.
“The Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) already clarified the policies regarding children going out of their homes. They can only go out if they are going out for medical purposes or for exercise. They should also be with their parents when going out,” PGen Eleazar said.
“This is why we would like to remind parents to be on guard for their kids because they might think they can already go out because of the easing of restrictions in Metro Manila,” he added.
The Chief PNP said the parents could be held liable for their children’s disregard or disobedience of health safety protocols.
He also issued the warning following reports that children were already seen in public places such as leisure parks, when the Alert Level 4 was downgraded to 3 in the NCR. Some of the children seen outdoors were observed to be improperly wearing face masks or did not wear face masks at all as protection against COVID-19.
The national government has already started the vaccination of minors, prioritizing those with comorbidities.
Meanwhile, PGen Eleazar assured that cemeteries nationwide are among areas which police officers would strictly monitor following the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infections Diseases’ order for their closure from October 29 to November 2.
He reminded cops to be prepared for the arrival in the cemeteries, memorial parks, or columbaria of people who wish to visit their deceased loved ones this weekend up to next week ahead of “Undas.”
“We expect that our kababayan will visit their departed loved ones early that is why I’ve already tasked our police to be alert and make sure that minimum health standards are observed and complied with,” PGen Eleazar said, adding that, “they should make sure that there will be no super spreader even in cemeteries.”