Lorenzana sees flattening of curve this month

MANILA, Philippines — Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana, chair of the National Task Force (NTF) Against COVID-19, is confident that the flattening of the curve will finally be achieved within the month.

Such can be done with the help of every Filipino who should follow all health protocols aimed at putting an end to the pandemic, Lorenzana said.

“Yes, we can. What will we do to achieve it? Strictly implement the health protocols and follow the campaign plan developed by the NTF,” Lorenzana told journalists yesterday.

He said the key is to abide by or follow the acronym PDITR, which stands for protect, detect, isolate, treat and reintegrate.

Lorenzana said such system contains step-by-step processes that should be implemented at work, at home and even when travelling to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.

“The NTF has disseminated this to the businesses, Regional Task Forces and LGUs (local government units),” he said, when asked on the prediction of University of the Philippines researchers that the curve may finally flatten this month.

“If everyone follows this plan, we will not only flatten the curve but bring it down,” Lorenzana said.

Meanwhile, newly installed Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Camilo Pancratius Cascolan vowed yesterday to punish police officers who are violating quarantine protocols.

Being implementors of government policies, police officers should serve as examples by following the rules themselves, Cascolan said.

“I will see to it that everybody who imposes or implements the law should be disciplined and should follow the law they are implementing,” he said.

He issued the statement in response to a query on the controversy generated by the “mananita” or birthday serenade for National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas in May.

Sinas drew flak after photographs of the activity surfaced as Metro Manila was under strict community quarantine.

The PNP Internal Affairs Service has filed charges against Sinas and other police officials for violating health protocols.

Former PNP chief Archie Francisco Gamboa did not fire Sinas despite calls for him to do so.

Gamboa said it was difficult to replace Sinas who was leading the implementation of quarantine measures in Metro Manila.

Cascolan did not say if he would replace Sinas, but mentioned that he would impose a revamp in the PNP.

He promised to improve the PNP’s image during his two-month tenure as its chief. Among his initiatives are holding regular seminars for police personnel and evaluation of their performance.

“We will enhance our internal cleansing,” he said.