Metro Manila cops ordered: Coordinate with LGUs on curfew rules for minors

MANILA, Philippines — The chief of the Philippine National Police ordered police personnel in Metro Manila to coordinate with their respective localities and keep themselves informed on which LGUs have existing ordinances imposing curfews on minors. 

This comes after the national government decided to lift the curfew hours in the National Capital Region. At the same time, however, some local government units continue to have ordinances imposing a curfew on minors. 

“With the curfew in Metro Manila set to be lifted today, I would advise our NCRPO units to coordinate with your respective LGUs and consult them on existing ordinances pertaining to enforcement where minors are concerned,” Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said in a statement sent to reporters Thursday. 

“There was previously uniformity on the curfew hours in Metro Manila from midnight to 4 AM for the general public but to my understanding, some of our LGUs have curfew ordinances for minors. So our local police units need to be clear on this with our LGUs,” he added.

The PNP chief said that local police would continue patrols, especially in public areas, to prevent lawless elements from committing crimes. 

He added that police commanders on the ground would "have to make adjustments in our security preparations" as malls in Metro Manila would be open for longer hours to accommodate Christmas shoppers.

“I would remind our police offices and units to continue enhanced visibility and intensified anti-crime operations as with the Christmas season, we expect a surge in criminal activity particularly those involving crimes against property," Eleazar said. 

"Apart from curbing the activities of malicious people, our police also need to ensure that our countrymen continue to follow the minimum public health standards," he pointed out. "We ask our compatriots to help us ensure that you are safe from COVID-19 by strictly adhering to our minimum public health standards."

To date, the Department of Health has tallied 2.79 million coronavirus infections around the country, 38,014 of whom are classified as active cases. — Franco Luna