KORONADAL City ― Around 200 police personnel were deployed Sunday as Region 12 prepares to implement a total lockdown beginning 12:01 am today to prevent the 2019 novel coronavirus disease from spreading in the area, a top police official said.
Brig. Gen. Alfred Corpus, Police Regional Office-12 director, said the establishment of the border checkpoints, along with the curfew imposition, was part of the measures placing the entire Region 12 under general community quarantine.
“Our work is simple—to ensure that nobody can enter the region except those who are authorized,” he said.
The Regional Task Force on Covid-19, which is composed of different government line agencies, will announce when the shutdown will be lifted.
Exempted from the travel entry ban are vehicles carrying food and other essential supplies and those who are involved in rendering medical services, emergency rescue, and public safety and utilities.
Vehicles carrying basic commodities shall be extended unhampered access since their services are essential to public survival, Corpus said.
He reminded police personnel on the front lines to keep safe by observing proper health protocols such as wearing face masks and regular sanitizing.
During the sendoff ceremony, personal protective equipment and consumption commodities such as rice, medicines and other basic goods for a month-long
deployment was provided for the police personnel.
Corpus appealed to the public to cooperate with the measures put in place to fight the spread of coronavirus disease in the region.
Region 12 straddles the provinces of South Cotabato, North Cotabato, Sultan Kudarat and Sarangani and the cities of General Santos, Koronadal, Tacurong, and Kidapawan.
The region shares borders with the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao, Davao Region, and Northern Mindanao. (mindanews)
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