Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez has imposed a 24-hour curfew, and ordered the deployment of private detectives and security personnel as force multipliers of the police to enforce the policy in the entire city.
Olivarez signed Executive Order 30, placing all agencies operating and conducting business of private detective, watchmen and security guards within the jurisdiction of the city under the direct order of the City Chief of Police for assistance in the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine.
Citing Section 12 of Republic Act No. 5487 otherwise known as “the Private Security Agency Law”, Olivarez said that it provides that in case of emergency or in times of disaster or calamities, the city mayor can incorporate the services of licensed security agencies to help maintain peace and order.
The law stated that duly licensed personnel can also apprehend law violators and in the preservation of life and property, he added.
In his five-page Executive Order, Olivarez said that private detective and security guards will take direct order from the city chief of police for their respective areas of assignment and operation for the duration of the ECQ.
Olivarez said the assigned security guards can apprehend persons who were not wearing face mask in public places and those following the physical distancing of at least one meter while the threat of Covid-19 continues.
A civilian-cloth detective can also verify if persons in public places in his area of assignment are holders of home quarantine pass issued by the barangay. If a person is not a HQP holder, the detective can surrender the person to the police headquarters.
“Considering the extraordinary public health and emergency situation the country is experiencing right now, we need the help of the private sector to curtail the Covid-19 threat. Because our city is surrounded by several private subdivisions, we need to utilize the private security agency to apprehend law violators since the police cannot enter the posh villages,” Olivarez pointed out.
The city chief executive said under Section 18 of Republic Act No. 9904, otherwise known as “Magna Carta for Homeowners and Homeowners’ Association”, neighborhood association members should support and strengthen the programs, policies and ordinances of the city government.
Persons who will found violating the Executive Order will be meted criminal and administrative charges as may found in pertinent laws, ordinances and rules and regulations.
