Police presence to prevent entry of contraband: Nograles

FILE: A Cainta traffic personnel assisted by a policeman uses a thermal scanner to check the temperature of motorists along Felix Avenue in Cainta, Rizal on Monday (March 16, 2020). (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The heightened police presence in checkpoints will prevent the entry of contraband, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said on Wednesday.

In a press conference held late Wednesday night, Nograles expressed confidence that authorities are attentive during the inspection of cargo trucks.

“Even if it’s random checking, makita mo yung presence ng police, very effective (you can notice that the presence of police is very effective),” he said.

Checkpoints and control points along borders and boundaries of each province in Luzon are now fully guarded after President Rodrigo Duterte placed the entire island under “enhanced” community quarantine due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).

Nograles said culprits who would attempt to sneak in contraband during the Luzon-wide community quarantine would not be successful.

“Huwag silang magkamali. Magpapasok kayo ng kontrabando, mahuhuli ka talaga (They should not make a mistake. They will get arrested if they attempt to sneak contraband items),” he said.

Agriculture Secretary William Dar said there would also be a “special lane” for cargoes.

“Dalawa na yung linya – isang linya para sa commuters, isang linya for cargoes (There are two lines there – one line for commuters and the other line is for cargoes),” Dar said at the Palace press briefing.

In Central Luzon alone, around 10,000 police officers have been deployed in various checkpoints.

They are also directed to guard terminals, airports, seaports and other public spaces and equipped with thermal scanners to monitor those entering and leaving the borders of each province.

The movement of people in mainland Luzon was restricted after the entire island was placed under an enhanced community quarantine to fight Covid-19.

However, the flow of cargo to and from Luzon is still allowed during the month-long implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.