Cops told to secure southern border amid Delta variant threat

MANILA – Police deployed in the southern provinces of Basilan, Sulu and Tawi-Tawi (Basulta) are ordered to carry out intensified monitoring and regular patrols amid the threat of the Delta variant now wreaking havoc in neighboring Indonesia.

Philippine National Police chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar visited over the weekend these provinces to check the local troops and get updates on the security measures implemented to prevent illegal entry of non-residents.

“Kahapon ay magkakasunod kong binisita ang ating mga kapulisan sa Basilan, Sulu at Tawi-Tawi upang alamin ang kalagayang pangseguridad at pati na rin ang kalagayang pangkaligtasan sa patuloy na banta ng Covid-19, lalo na ang Delta variant na isang seryosong problema ngayon sa ating kapitbahay na bansang Indonesia (Yesterday (Sunday), I visited our police personnel in Basilan, Sulu, and Tawi-Tawi to know the security situation there and their well-being amid the ongoing threat posed by Covid-19, especially with the threat posed by the Delta variant which is now a serious problem in Indonesia),” Eleazar said.

The Philippines shares borders with Indonesia and Malaysia in Mindanao. The porous southern border is reportedly being taken advantage of for smuggling activities, including those who want to easily get in and out of the Philippines.

The government has included Indonesia in the list of countries with strict travel restrictions amid the surge of Covid-19 cases which health experts attributed to the more transmissible Delta variant.

Eleazar is expected to meet with the regional police officials of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao in a command conference Monday to discuss security and safety measures in the region. (with Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)