Policemen stand guard to prevent possible cases of looting and burglary as enhanced community quarantine remains in effect. Photo courtesy of PRO-3
CITY OF SAN FERNANDO – The rise in possible cases of looting and burglary has been noted by the Central Luzon police as the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon remains in effect.
The possible targets that may include unguarded commercial establishments including supermarkets, grocery stores, warehouses and related food banks due to scarcity of essential supply or basic commodities are being closely monitored.
Police Regional Office -3 director Brig. Gen. Rhodel Sermonia said they are anticipating that some desperate individuals might turn to looting and even robberies.
“Our contingency plans are in placed against crimes on property since some owners of establishments have decided to temporarily stop their operations while some have limited hours of operations and there are no security personnel on guard,” Sermonia said.
The utilization of the “Patrulya ng Bayan” and force multipliers is also being carried out to deter the occurrence of looting and robberies, he added.
The official disclosed that since the establishments of checkpoints, about 1,042 individuals were already denied entry along the boundaries of Region 3 due to non-presentation of required documents during inspection.
ECQ, meant to curb the rising number of cases of COVID-19, will be implemented in the entire Luzon from March 17 to April 12.
