MANILA – With the community quarantine expected to be relaxed in several areas in the country, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) has warned of possible surge of crimes.
DILG Secretary Eduardo Año said Wednesday police forces must remain vigilant in ensuring that the peace and order.
He urged policemen to thwart criminal threats that are expected to surge under new normal or less-stringent general community quarantine (GCQ).
“Mas matindi ang inaasahang pagpapairal ng batas sa panahon ng GCQ dahil nariyan pa rin ang banta ng coronavirus at samahan pa ng mga masasamang-loob na wala rin namang pinipiling panahon at krisis,” Año said.
The movement is still limited in areas under GCQ, according to Año and that quarantine control points will remain.
Those working in permitted industries and those who will access essential services are allowed to leave their homes, he added.
Quarantine measures will still be imposed for persons below 21 years old; persons 60 years old and above; persons who are immunocompromised; pregnant women; and people who reside with the aforementioned individuals.
However, seniors who are working or will go out to access essential services will be exempted from the home quarantine.
The Philippine National Police’s constant implementation of peace and order protocols during the enhanced community quarantine from March 17 to May 9 led to only 3,166 crimes committed nationwide.
He said the figure is a far cry from the 8,135 cases reported from January 23 to March 16, the days leading to the implementation of the ECQ in Luzon.
“The 61 percent decrease in crime volume within March 17 to May 9, 2020, with a total of 3,166, must be maintained by the PNP even under GCQ,” Año said.
During the ECQ, 865 incidents of theft were recorded. The figure is much lower than the 2,752 incidents reported in the months before the ECQ. The same pattern was observed in other crimes, such as murder, homicide, physical injury, and rape, among others./PN
