It takes up to two hours for some motorists to cross the checkpoints now that Metro Manila has been subjected to enhanced community quarantine.
“Sobra dalawang oras na po ako dito,” said Willy Sales, who lined up at the checkpoint on the boundary of Caloocan and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, Saturday night.
“Hassle kasi may pasyente nga kami dinala sa ospital. Nauna ‘yong ambulansya, naipit kami… Galing po ako ng Cavite,” the story of Jeffrey Sapatua, who allegedly brought the patient to Cavite because all hospitals are full in Metro Manila.
At the checkpoint on España Boulevard in Manila, the documents of each passerby are checked one by one to ensure that they are Authorized Person Outside Residence (APOR).
“Kapag po sila working APOR, hinahanapan ng [certificate of employment], ‘yong kanilang mga ID kailangan ipakita para mapatunayan na working APOR. Kapag consumer APOR, kailangan may quarantine pass,” said Police Lt. Ronald Calixto, team leader at a checkpoint.
According to Philippine National Police chief Gen Guillermo Eleazar, a random check can be implemented if the queue at the checkpoint decreases.
When the queue of vehicles is said to be shortened, the personnel will have to sort the vehicles again.
Some motorists take hours before crossing checkpoints
According to Eleazar, wearing a face mask, face shield, and physical distancing is a common violation of ECQ today.
Failure to comply with curfew hours is also a common violation.
“Itong tatlo, ito ang minimum public health standards natin ang nakikita natin (violation) pero most of them wina-warning-an lang naman,” said Eleazar.
Eleazar warned that abusive non-APOR drivers would be held accountable.
He said they could go directly to the employers if the document presented is genuine.
Eleazar also issued a directive to the Criminal Investigation and Detection Group and contacted local governments following the influx of injectors at the COVID-19 vaccination sites.
Meanwhile, around 44 percent of PNP personnel in Metro Manila are fully vaccinated, while 42 percent are waiting for their second dose, Eleazar said.
The PNP has 1,579 or 5 percent active infections out of a total of 31,364 cases as of Saturday, he added.
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