Manila Mayor Francisco “Isko” Domagoso has confirmed that a lockdown will be implemented in Sampaloc, Manila due to the high number of coronavirus cases in the district and violations of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Domagoso convened on Monday police and military officials led by Manila Police District chief Police Brigadier General Rolly Miranda and AFP Joint Task Force NCR commander Brigadier General Alex Luna.
Also in the meeting were MPD Special Mayor’s Reaction Team chief Police Major Rosalino Ibay Jr. and MPD Station 4 commander Lieutenant Colonel John Guiagui.
The officials tackled sensitive matter regarding the looming total lockdown of the Sampaloc district.
In a statement issued on Twitter Sunday evening, the Manila Public Information Office said that the schedule of the lockdown has yet to be announced.
The Manila government had been studying the possibility of implementing a 48-hour total lockdown of Sampaloc.
Sampaloc Station Commander Police Lieutenant Colonel John Guiagui said a total lockdown would mean that all quarantine passes would be canceled and all residents would be prohibited from leaving their homes, but for a few exceptions.
“Ang lockdown is basically nasa loob lang sila ng bahay. All those that are needed will be provided by the government. There will be an ample time for the residents to be ready. Sa ngayon lang is nako-condition na na magkakaroon ng lockdown,” he said in a report on GMA’s “24 Oras Weekend” on Sunday.
As of Saturday, April 18, there have been a total of 432 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Manila. Of the number, 95 were located in Sampaloc.
The area is also near Quezon City, which currently has the highest number of cases in the Philippines.
Under the lockdown, only medical personnel, emergency responders, security services personnel, and employees of pharmacies, drug stores, and funeral parlors will be allowed to leave their homes.
Under the total lockdown, police and military will be tasked to patrol all the streets in the area which will be closed to traffic except for Blumentritt, España Boulevard, Lacson Street, Dimasalang Street, CM Recto, Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard, Nicanor Reyes Street, and Legarda Street.
Barangay 435 Captain Lenin Bacud said officials are now preparing for the eventuality of an actual total lockdown, with provisions of rice and water for residents in his area.
“Ito, kung two days lang naman siguro, kakayanin pa namin i-provide, house to house din. May megaphone kaming ginagamit kasama ‘yung barangay officials ko na masisipag, at ineexplain namin kung anong mangyayari,” Bacud said.
President Rodrigo Duterte earlier ordered an enhanced community quarantine in Luzon from March 17 to April 13, and been extended until April 30 given the rising number of confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).