MPD to deploy 800 cops for Tondo hard lockdown

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District (MPD) will deploy over 800 policemen to enforce a 48-hour “hard lockdown” in Tondo District 1 on orders of Mayor Isko Moreno, an official announced yesterday.

The lockdown will begin on Sunday morning and will end on Tuesday, according to MPD director Brig. Gen. Rolando Miranda.

Miranda said the police officers would be augmented by 150 personnel of the Armed Forces.

“The scope of the Tondo lockdown will be broader because it is a bigger community compared to Sampaloc,” Miranda told The STAR.

Sampaloc has been placed on lockdown amid the high number of cases of the conavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in the area.

Moreno signed Executive Order 22, placing Tondo District 1 under lockdown to conduct disease surveillance and rapid mass testing to contain the transmission of COVID-19.

He said the city government would distribute food packs to the residents prior to the lockdown.

Around 140,166 families in Tondo District 1 will receive food relief, acccording to Moreno.

Miranda said he would meet with barangay officials today to give them time to prepare for the lockdown.

He said the decision to place Tondo District 2, Sta. Cruz, San Andres and Malate under lockdown would be up to Moreno.

As of April 29, Tondo District 1 recorded 83 cases of COVID-19 with 12 deaths and seven recoveries.

Based on data of the city health department, there were 231 suspected carriers of the virus.