DILG probes LSIs sneaking into provinces via cargo vehicles

Citing the case of Ormoc City in Leyte, Año said many of the Covid-19 cases in the area are LSIs, most of whom came from Cebu City. (PNA file photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The government would look into reports of a so-called “guerilla travel” scheme of some locally stranded individuals (LSIs) which is seen as among the reasons behind the rise of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases in some provinces, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said on Friday.

“Ang problem natin, ‘yung tinatawag natin mga guerilla at mga lumusot na hindi na nakadaan sa LGU [local government unit]. Pagdating niya sa lugar hindi na siya mache-check doon sa LGU, uuwi na siya nang diretso (Our problem is what we call guerilla, the ones sneaking in without the inspection from the LGU. When they arrive at their destination, the LGUs can’t check them, they will go home directly),” Año said in a radio interview.

He said some LSIs sneak into a certain area where they bribe crew members of cargo trucks and ships in exchange for a ride to their destination.

Under existing rules of LGUs, LSIs should undergo 14-day quarantine and present medical clearance certificate and travel pass.

Citing the case of Ormoc City in Leyte, Año said many of the Covid-19 cases in the area are LSIs, most of whom came from Cebu City.

“Karamihan yung mga LSI niya tumawid at mga cargo ships ang mga sinakyan (Many of the LSIs were transported through cargo ships),” Año pointed out.

Año, meanwhile, warned crew members of cargo ships to refrain from covertly carrying LSIs.

“Huwag kayo magsasakay na hindi naman talaga yan kasama sa manifest nyo kasi mananagot kayo (Don’t transport them because they are not included in your manifest, because you will be held accountable),” Año said.

On Thursday, Año approved the plan to suspend the travel of LSIs to Eastern Visayas for 14 days as part of Covid-19 containment measures.

Local officials in the region made the recommendation due to the soaring number of Covid-19 cases in the area.

Majority of the 445 cases of Covid-19 in the region as of Wednesday are returning residents stranded in Cebu City while others came from Metro Manila.