'NCR Plus' checkpoint personnel turn away motorists without IDs, don't follow protocols

Police and barangay officials manning "NCR Plus" checkpoints have been turning away motorists without IDs and those found violating health and safety protocols.

At one such checkpoint at the boundary of Apalit, Pampanga and Calumpit, Bulacan, motorists have to stop and present IDs or certificates of employment to prove they are essential workers or authorized persons outside residence (APOR), or proof of essential travel such as plane ticket, or have to travel due to emergency, according to a report by Darlene Cay on GMA News' Unang Balita on Wednesday.

The driver of a white car said he was just going to drop off in Calumpit one of the occupants in the vehicle. However, authorities said the occupants were violating physical distancing since they were five inside the vehicle. They were allegedly not wearing face masks too. Police also said their purpose could not be classified as essential travel, thus they were asked to turn back toward Pampanga.

A motorcycle rider and his back rider meanwhile were also made to return to where they came from after they could not present any ID.

The checkpoint at this boundary is operating 24/7 to ensure only those with essential travel are allowed inside the "NCR Plus" bubble. Traffic has built up approaching the area.

Due to the recent spike of COVID-19 cases in the country, the government has placed Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal under a stricter community quarantine bubble for two weeks. This area has been designated “National Capital Region Plus,” and the quarantine is described as a stricter general community quarantine (GCQ).

The "NCR Plus" bubble will be in effect from March 22 to April 4.

Going into and out of the bubble will be restricted, except for essential travel.

Those who may leave and enter the bubble are:

• Essential workers with valid company IDs
• Health and emergency frontline services personnel
• Government officials
• Duly-authorized humanitarian assistance workers
• Persons traveling for medical or humanitarian reasons
• Persons going to the airport for travel abroad
• Persons crossing zones for work or business and going back home
• Returning overseas Filipinos and overseas Filipino workers

Checkpoints inside "NCR Plus"

Meanwhile, in contrast to the situation in the past two days, traffic was free-flowing on Wednesday morning at checkpoints within the "NCR Plus" bubble.

At the boundary of North Caloocan and San Jose del Monte, Bulacan, traffic was light as motorists did not have to stop at checkpoints and present their IDs, according to a report by James Agustin on Unang Balita.

Authorities will only check randomly if health protocols are followed especially in public vehicles.

At Marcos Highway at the boundary of Cainta, Rizal and Marikina City which is part of Metro Manila, traffic was likewise light and free-flowing on Wednesday morning, according to a report by Bam Alegre on Unang Balita.

There were still police presence in certain areas but only to check for compliance with health protocols such as wearing of face masks and face shields.

Meanwhile, authorities will be stricter during curfew from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. —KG, GMA News