The chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday said facing charges comes with their job.

Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa made the statement following the incident at the Pacific Plaza Towers at Bonifacio Global City  where the building administrator claimed a police officer “barged” into their property and shouted at the residents, causing fear.

The building administrator said they will file charges against the police officer involved.

“That police officer just responded over a reported violation of ECQ (enhanced community quarantine) guideline… If they file appropriate case, then no problem. That is how we in the government, if you don’t want (how we do our job) you can file a case against us,” Gamboa said in a radio interview.

“But because there is a personal knowledge that social distancing is not being observed, would that not be enough for the office to caution them?” Gamboa said.

Gamboa said they received photos that there are violations of social distancing inside the condominium.

Gamboa said the PNP- Legal Service is conducting research.

“Is it the same as violation of domicile? One you step in the gate, it’s already trespassing so would that be the same application on a condominium? that’s why they are asserting there should be a search warrant. Now, it is different if someone request for police assistance,” he said.

The PNP chief reiterated that he stands firm on his statement that the police did nothing wrong but just like Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano, the way the police officer acted is a different situation.

“Now, the actuation of the police is another thing but the (Taguig City) chief of police conducted an investigation and because they are my people, I will standby them,” he said.

“So if they feel offended and they want to file a case then so be it but I stand by on the decision of the chief of police and the regional director of the NCRPO (National Capital Region Police Office),” said Gamboa.

To prevent the incident from happening again, Gamboa said they will implement guidelines for their police personnel to handle these situations.

“We will also study related laws on condominiums so that we can give guidance to our policemen,” he said.

“But we hope that the management themselves police their facilities that wearing face masks, social distancing and mass gathering are being observed so that we can prevent this incident,” he added. Ella Dionisio/DMS

Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said on Wednesday he did not see any problem seeking the help of the military to ensure that the enhanced community quarantine is properly implemented.

However, Sotto said the public should be “careful” in using the term “martial law-like” lockdown.

“In Pasig, there has been no presence of military so far,” he said in a virtual forum of  the Foreign Correspondents Association of the Philippines.

However, the mayor said if Pasig would need the help of the Armed Forces of the Philippines, “I don’t see anything wrong with it.”

He said if the presence of soldiers would help people out of the streets, “we would actually welcome that.”

With over 800,000 population in Pasig, Sotto said the local government could not watch all of them 24/7.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier warned that if the number of coronavirus disease patients would continue to increase due to failure of the people to stay at home, he would order the military and the police to implement strict ECQ or a martial law-like lockdown.

Malacanang has clarified  there would be no declaration of martial. But if Duterte would finally ask the AFP to help, it would be under one of the President’s emergency powers, which is a calling out power.

The AFP, on the other hand, said if Duterte would make a final order to help the police for a more stringent enforcement of the lockdown, the public could expect more foot patrols and the use of loud speakers to remind them to remain at home. Celerina Monte/DMS