Sampaloc lockdown: 950 cops, soldiers deployed

MANILA, Philippines — At least 950 policemen and soldiers were deployed yesterday to enforce a 48-hour “hard lockdown” in Sampaloc, Manila where cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) reached over 100.

The lockdown started at 8 p.m. last night and will last until 8 p.m. tomorrow.

Sampaloc recorded the highest number of COVID-19 cases in the city at 106 as of Wednesday.

Mayor Isko Moreno completed the distribution of food packs and financial assistance to residents in 192 barangays in the district.

Manila Police District (MPD) director Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda said the police teams are from the Special Weapons and Tactics, Traffic Management Bureau, District Mobile Force Battalion, Special Operations Group, Intelligence Operations Unit, Special Mayor’s Reaction Team.

MPD Station 4 chief Lt. Col. John Guiagui is the commanding officer.

At least 150 personnel from the Armed Forces of the Philippines National Capital Regional Command would assist the police, Miranda said.

“I am confident that the lockdown will be successful because everything had been laid down as planned. There is no reason for the residents not to cooperate,” he said.

Guiagui said a command post was set up in Barangay 435. Four covered courts will be used as temporary detention facilities for violators of the enhanced community quarantine.

An ambulance is on standby in case of medical emergencies, city hall officials said.

Police drones were dispatched to monitor the movement of people, according to Guiagui.