'Oplan Puyo' effective, says Cebu City Police

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) has noted that areas with the most number of apprehended health and quarantine violators have fewer COVID-19 infections.

Citing the summary graph of apprehensions and coronavirus cases from August 3 to 21, CCPO deputy city director for operations Wilbert Parilla said prevention strategies like “Oplan Puyo” or stricter health protocols will help reduce the number of COVID-19 cases.

He said the police stations five in Barangay Ermita and six in Barangay Sawang Calero recorded the highest apprehensions at 708 and 634, respectively.

But station five recorded the lowest transmission of COVID-19 cases among CCPO’s 11 police stations at 37. Station six, on the other hand, recorded the third lowest next to station three (Waterfront Pier) at 140 and 62, respectively.

“Dako kaayo syag epekto nga kun atong strictly i-implement...taas ang apprehension mubo ang positive cases considering both are densely populated barangays,” said Parilla.

Barangay Ermita is home to the city’s largest and oldest Carbon Public Market, while Sawang Calero is where the city’s main fish port and market are located.

On the other hand, CCPO Director Josefino Ligan ordered other stations to strictly enforce “Oplan Puyo,” which he assessed as “effective.”

It was launched on August 16 after the city recorded a spike in COVID-19 cases.

Acting Mayor Michael Rama issued Executive Order No. 137, called the Oplan “Puyo” 8-15-31, which calls for the more stringent implementation of the stay-at-home order in the entire city, except for essential services, transactions, and authorized persons outside their residences.

Under the executive order, those without business outside are strictly prevented from going out of their homes.

The exceptions are the following: medical frontliners, officers and other hospital staff, nurses, and health volunteers, emergency and security personnel, force multipliers, all authorized national and local government officials and employees, divers and personnel or delivery vehicles carrying all types of cargoes, accredited media personnel, farmers, fishermen, and agri-business personnel, person seeking medical attention, and employees of establishments and offices permitted to operate.

Meanwhile, CCPO also noted a decrease in the number of crime incidents.

Parilla said constant foot patrol and street presence of the policemen has been helpful in keeping the public away from going outside their houses.

“The increased police visibility all over the city has also resulted in the decrease of crimes especially the eight focused crimes,” said Parilla.

The eight focused crimes are robbery, murder, homicide, physical injury, rape, theft, carnapping of motorcycles and carnapping of vehicles. — KQD (FREEMAN)