PNP to deploy policewomen in kid zones

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) will deploy policewomen in areas designated as kid zones where parents can bring their children.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said they would assign police officers in those zones to ensure minimum public health and safety protocols are observed to protect children from COVID-19.

He instructed police commanders to deploy policewomen as they are more accommodating and patient in dealing with minors. He urged parents not to be intimidated by their officers as it is only meant for everyone’s protection.

“We will ensure that your PNP will not be ‘killjoy’ because we understand what you and your children went through during the lockdowns,” Eleazar said in Filipino in a video message to reporters.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has allowed children five years old and above in areas under general community quarantine and modified GCQ to go outdoors provided these are designated open spaces by local government units (LGUs).

The Metro Manila Council, for its part, will come up with a list of areas in the National Capital Region where they are allowed to roam.

Eleazar instructed police commanders to coordinate with their respective LGUs for the identification of kid zones as he urged owners of commercial establishments to make their business conducive for people to observe physical distancing protocols.