The PNP already created an official Facebook account where concerned citizens could directly report individuals who blatantly violate quarantine protocols. The Philippine National Police would be monitoring the said social media platform.
According to PNP deputy chief for administration Lt Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, the Facebook account was named after the Joint Task Force COVID Shield which he leads. The platform would serve as a database of violations on quarantine protocols implemented by the government to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
He added netizens could send and upload pictures and videos of people holding parties and drinking sessions which are banned during community quarantine.
“All they need to do is to send us the photos and videos and we will take care of the rest,” Eleazar said in a statement.
Eleazar earlier clarified that the social media monitoring on quarantine violators would be limited to viral photos and videos and reports from concerned citizens.
He further explained that police’s social media monitoring would target government officials and prominent personalities who committed quarantine violations.
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“Huwag matakot ang ating mga kababayan kasi alam ninyo, ang natatarget dito, in fact, mga prominent individuals and government officials. Bakit? Dahil sila ay madaling maidentify, nagba-viral sila… at the same time, sila kasi dapat ang nangunguna dito kaya wala dapat ikabahala ang ating mga kababayan,” Eleazar said at a press briefing.
He also said the social media monitoring would target government officials and prominent personalities who committed quarantine violations.
The PNP official clarified that cops would not arrest alleged quarantine violators, but the social media post will serve as a “basis for further investigation.”
“Wala kaming aarestuhin dito. It will serve as a basis for further investigation but first, it has to be validated. Possible kasi fake lang ‘yan eh. So kung navalidate natin, then we will also get the cooperation of the barangays para imbestigahan natin siya,” he said.
Malacañang also supported the idea and said there is nothing illegal with the police monitoring social media to look for quarantine violators.