Noticeable decrease in travelers entering Baguio noted

September 07, 2021 – The Baguio City Police Office (BCPO) noted a significant decrease in the number of travelers wanting to enter the city through the various quarantine checkpoints (QCPs) following the strict implementation of border control measures to contain the rapid spread of the dreaded Corona Virus Disease (COVID) 2019 with the ongoing threat of its Delta variant.

BCPO City Director Police Col. Glen Lonogan stated that there had been a significant reduction on the volume of motorists travelling to the city even during the weekends when there is supposed to be influx of people from outside that is why they are grateful for the cooperation of the public in observing the strict enforcement of the border control measures.

He added that police personnel managing the different QTPs in strategic entry points of the city turned back some 50 to 70 travelers wanting to enter the city daily because their travels are either not essential or they do not possess the required travel documents.

Last month, alert police personnel apprehended 14 travelers who possessed fake travel documents in trying to enter the city while nearly 500 travelers were ordered to return to their points of origin for failure to prove that their travel to the city was essential or they did not have the required travel documents.

Further, four motor vehicles that were impounded by the police because of their intention to smuggle to the city individuals who do not have sufficient travel documents, among others.

Lonogan claimed that the police personnel managing the different QTPs remain vigilant in inspecting the documents of travelers wanting to enter the city to ensure their travels are essential and that they possess the required travel documents to avoid possible infection that might cause the unnecessary surge in COVID-19 cases in the city.

The police official called on travelers not to take chances in trying to enter the city without possessing the appropriate travel documents as they will be compelled to go back to their points of origin, especially if it will be proven that their travels are not essential.

According to him, the cooperation of the travelers wanting to enter the city on non-essential travels and without the required travel documents will definitely help in easing the burden of the police personnel at the different checkpoints.

He pointed out that travelers should not attempt to enter the city using fake documents as appropriate charges will be filed against them that could result to their eventual detention or delays in their supposed transactions in the city if their travels are essential, thus, they should abide by the ongoing implementation of the stricter border controls.

Lonogan added that the police personnel will continue performing their duties and responsibilities to the fullest and with utmost dedication to ensure that unnecessary travels by travelers to the city will be prevented to avert the spread of the virus in the city. – Dexter A. See