Iloilo cops widen radar vs mass gathering violators

By Jennifer P. Rendon

Mass gathering is seen as one of the main culprits in the continued surge in Covid-19 cases in Iloilo province.

And public reminders might not be enough to discourage residents against holding of mass gathering that is deemed as a “spreader” of the virus.

The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) said that it would intensify its operations against individuals who continue to defy the ban on mass gathering.

Colonel Gilbert Gorero, Iloilo police chief, on Monday has directed all chiefs of police in the province to strictly implement the ban on mass gathering and social/physical distancing.

Gorero told subordinate commanders that the main contributor for the high positivity rate in the province is mass gathering such as funeral service, wake, and party celebrations.

He also noted social distancing might not be observed in public transport terminals, markets, workplaces, and places of worships.

“Despite the fact that we are doing containment strategy efforts in the barangay level yet there is still a notable number of Covid cases in the province,” he said.

He also urged chiefs of police to support barangay officials in the implementation of implementation of minimum health protocols without exemptions.

“The chiefs of police should analyze the Average Daily Attack Rate (ADAR) and initiate strategy to prevent the local transmission,” he said.

For the past few weeks, Iloilo province has been reeling from high number of Covid cases.

Iloilo logged 430 and 400 cases on August 29 and 30, respectively.

It has also recorded 328 cases in August 19; 302 on August 20; 311 on August 22; 306 on August 23; 367 on August 26; 324 on August 27; and 379 on August 28.