Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, on Friday ordered all police commanders to coordinate with local government officials in identifying areas where children aged five and above are allowed.

“Batid namin na mas excited ang ating mga kababayan sa paglabas ng mga batang may edad lima pataas kaya naman inatasan ko na ang ating mga commanders na maghanda ukol dito sa pamamagitan ng pakikipag ugnayan sa kanilang mga LGUs sa pagtukoy ng mga lugar na pwedeng puntahan at ng mga tuntunin na dapat sundin dito para sa proteksyon ng bawat isa (We are aware that many of our fellow Filipinos are excited especially children five years old and above as they are now allowed to go out. This is why I ordered our commanders to prepare for this and to work with LGUs in determining areas where children can go to and the rules that must be followed for everyone’s protection),” Eleazar said in a statement.

This came as Metro Manila and other areas were placed under the regular general community quarantine (GCQ) beginning Friday until July 31.

“Tinitiyak namin na hindi magiging kill joy ang inyong PNP dahil batid namin ang pinagdaraanan ng mga bata at magulang sa mahigit isang taon ng quarantine (We assure that the PNP will not be ‘kill joy’ on this regulation because we understand the plight of the children and parents over a year after quarantine measures were implemented),” he added.

The Metro Manila Council, for its part, is expected to come up with a list of areas where children would be allowed to roam around.

Eleazar said police officers would also be deployed in child-friendly areas to assist in ensuring the observation of the minimum public health safety protocols

He also asked commanders to deploy, if possible, female police officers saying these are more accommodating and patient when it comes to dealing with children.

In Resolution 125 issued last week, the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) said children can only go to outdoor areas such as parks, playgrounds, beaches, biking, and hiking trails, outdoor tourist sites and attractions as may be defined by the Department of Tourism, including outdoor non-contact sports courts and venues, and al-fresco dining establishments in areas under GCQ and modified GCQ (MGCQ). (PNA)