BACOLOD CITY – Stricter maritime border control measures are being enforced in Negros Occidental as people from neighboring islands have been monitored to sneak into the province while the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) against the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) is in effect.
On Monday, personnel of the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) monitored the presence of two persons in Manapla town, who have recently arrived from Ajuy, Iloilo.
Lt. Commander Jansen Benjamin, chief of PCG-Negros Occidental, said on Tuesday the incident has been recorded as a maritime border violation, based on the information they received from the barangay.
He said the mother and son went to Ajuy before the ECQ, and were later picked up by the father and brought them home to Manapla.
A neighbor reported their presence to the village chief, and the Barangay Health Emergency Response Team confirmed that these persons have just arrived and placed them under mandatory home quarantine.
“As instructed by our governor (Eugenio Jose Lacson), all coastline communities have to be alert. The barangay officials and Bantay Dagay should also be vigilant,” Benjamin said.
“The PCG-Negros Occidental is intensifying security measures and trying its best to secure our maritime borders,” he added.
Stations under the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (NOCPPO) have also stepped up border control activities.
Col. Romeo Baleros, police provincial director, said he directed all chiefs of police to intercept vehicles illegally transporting people into the province.
“Vehicles, motorboats, and bancas will be impounded pending investigation,” he added.
As part of the quarantine measures, the NOCPPO has set up 14 border control points in the cities of San Carlos, Talisay, Bago and Kabankalan, and towns of Murcia, La Castellana, Isabela and Hinoba-an.
There are also 87 quarantine control points across the province.
Earlier, Bacolod City Lone District Rep. Greg Gasataya also called for consistent strict control measures on the city and the province’s borders, including the shoreline villages, to prevent the illegal entry of persons using private motorized bancas or fishing boats.
There should also be a strict inspection of possible illegal entry of people inside cargo trucks in seaports, he added.
“Please, let us all help monitor our borders. If (you) receive any information text it to your respective barangay officials and local authorities,” Gasataya appealed. (PNA)
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