Philippine National Police (PNP) chief, Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Tuesday directed all police units to keep a tight watch on parties and other mass gatherings that may trigger a spread in coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) cases in their areas of responsibility (AORs).

“I am reminding all our police commanders to be on alert and strictly monitor your areas of responsibility to prevent mass gatherings and ensure the observance of minimum public health safety standards. Wala na dapat makalusot na superspreader events sa inyong mga AOR (No superspreader events should go unnoticed in your AORs),” Eleazar said in a statement.

He also advised police commanders to closely coordinate with local government units, particularly village officials regarding the measure.

This came in the wake of a pool party and drinking session in Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon in Quezon City earlier this month where more than 50 participants contracted Covid-19.

Eleazar said the public should not be complacent despite a decrease in Covid-19 infection rate in Metro Manila.

Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesperson Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said pool parties are a violation of the prohibition on mass gatherings.

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has issued a show-cause order to the captain of Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon after reports reaching her office indicated that a three-day fiesta celebration was held in the village from May 9 to 11.

Malaya said the DILG is also investigating the incident even as he warned local government officials including those from the barangays and the police commanders that they will be held accountable for any “superspreader’’ events in their respective areas of jurisdiction. (PNA)