Police presence makes vaccinees, voters feel secure

TIGHT WATCH. A member of the Batasan Police Station 6 in Quezon City observes a Covid-19 vaccination activity at a covered court in Barangay Commonwealth on Saturday morning (Sept. 11, 2021). Wearing of face masks, face shields, and physical distancing must be always followed. (Photo courtesy of Batasan QCPD)

MANILA – Since the pandemic began in March last year, the police have been on top of health and safety protocols, making sure that rules and border control measures are enforced to help curb the spread of Covid-19.

These days, policemen can also be seen in vaccination centers and Commission on Elections registration sites to ensure that minimum health standards are followed.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar warned on Sunday that registration and vaccination activities can become super-spreader events if not properly guarded.

“All our police personnel have been tasked to secure these malls and to ensure that minimum public health safety standards and quarantine protocols are observed for the voters' registration,” Eleazar said in a statement.

He added there is an expected influx of registrants in satellite sites, like those in malls, as the Sept. 30 deadline approaches.

(File photo) 

Chiefs of police have coordinated with mall management and vowed to exercise maximum tolerance and treat even violators with utmost respect, Eleazar said.

The PNP is also helping out in information dissemination on vaccination and the planned granular lockdown system that will be implemented only in areas with an alarming rise in Covid-19 cases.

“In the midst of the continuous increase of Covid cases in our country, I have tasked all our police commanders to help strengthen information dissemination about the government vaccination program, especially since the A5 category vaccination has started,” Eleazar stated.

The indigent sector falls under the A5 priority group. (PNA)