CEBU, Philippines — Sunday’s massive police deployment in coronavirus-hit Sitio Alaska, Barangay Mambaling, Cebu City has been effective with more people now complying with the enhanced community quarantine guidelines like social distancing, Cebu City Police Office Director Colonel Josefino Ligan said.
This after reports have circulated on social media that residents in the area were still allegedly seen going out of their houses amid the imposed lockdown.
Ligan said the massive deployment included a military tank, one military vehicle, and Mobile Patrol Group, which will regularly and strictly monitor the area. Along with the patrolling, policemen will also remind residents to observe proper social distancing.
“Naa pa jud tay unom ka (we have six) policemen, wearing PPEs to do the foot patrol, na maglakaw gyud....that is done two hours in the morning and two hours in the afternoon. Ang mga tawo nituman man hinuon (The people have been obedient so far),” Ligan said.
Ligan further said that the police and military presence in the area has contributed to its perceived peace and order.
“Kinahanglan lang gyud sila og pahimangnoan nga naay security force na ilang makita para hapsay ra gyud sila diha (What is needed is to remind them that there are security forces to install order),” he said.
Moreover, Ligan also reminded Mambaling residents to refrain from going out as the police are out to strictly enforce the purpose of lockdown, which is to stay inside.
He said one of the purposes of the foot patrol is to arrest those who will not heed police warnings.
“Para makabalo gyud sila nga (so they would know that) we are serious,” said Ligan.
There are now more or less 80 personnel deployed in the perimeter of Mambaling while sbout 75 personnel are assigned in the interiors of the barangay, including those doing the foot patrol. JMD (FREEMAN)