PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa on Thursday, June 25, 2020, ordered the reactivation of Tourist-Oriented Police for Community Order and Protection (Topcop) and strengthening the Tourist Police Assistance Desks (TPAD) in areas under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ).
"The PNP's tourist police units must be present at all times to implement health protocols in tourist destinations that are now under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ). I ordered the PNP regional directors to activate their tourist police and assistance desks to ensure that local tourists will strictly follow health protocols based on existing guidelines by the Inter-Agency Task-Force (IATF)," Gamboa said.
"We all know that many areas have eased into MGCQ and may now resume domestic tourism operations. The PNP is prepared to provide support to LGU's who may have difficulty monitoring and ensuring the strict compliance of tourists," he added.
Gamboa said he issued the order in response to the decision of the Department of Tourism (DOT) allowing domestic tourism in areas under MGCQ provided that health protocols will be observed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
He said TPADs will be established in strategic areas in coordination with the DOT.
Aside from proper observance of health protocols, Gamboa said the tourist police will also provide added security operations for local tourists and establishments and to respond on tourist-related security and safety issues.
Among the areas under MGCQ until June 30 are Ilocos Region, Mimaropa (Mindoro, Marinduque, Romblon, Palawan) except Occidental Mindoro, Bicol Region and Western Visayas. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/VoxPop Philippines)