Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Friday appealed to parents in Metro Manila to prioritize the safety of their children who are minors and refrain from bringing them to leisure places.
“Parents could be held liable for their children’s disregard or disobedience of health safety protocols,” Eleazar said in a statement.
The PNP chief made the warning in response to reports that children were already seen in public places, such as parks, following the region's shift to the more relaxed Alert Level 3 which took effect on October 16.
Some of the children seen outdoors were observed to be either improperly wearing face masks or not wearing face masks at all.
On Thursday, both the Palace and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) clarified that minors are still not allowed to go out under Alert Level 3.
In Resolution No. 21-24, the Metro Manila Council (MMC), the MMDA's policy-making body, said minors are only allowed to travel in private vehicles and public utility vehicles (PUV) such as jeepneys or trains as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Minors are also allowed to go out for individual outdoor exercises. They can also travel to obtain essential goods or for work in permitted industries and offices.
The government rolled out on Friday the second phase of the vaccination of minors aged 12 to 17, giving priority to those with comorbidities. (Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA)
