Authorities in Pampanga province have arrested nearly 2,000 people for violating quarantine protocols.
The implementation of Executive Order No. 17-2021 or the stricter implementation of health and safety protocols against COVID-19 is effective August 2, 2021.
The province was placed under Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) following the cases increase this August.
According to Governor Dennis Pineda, anyone caught violating the rules will be arrested immediately.
From August 2 to 9, 1,964 violators were arrested.
Of these, 1,668 were caught wearing no face masks, while 64 violated the curfew in effect from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m.
There were 203 who did not wear face masks and violated the curfew, and 29 violated the liquor ban.
Meanwhile, up to 3,735 were not allowed to enter Pampanga. Of this number, 2,549 were without antigen or RT-PCR test, while 207 were minors and over 60 years of age who were not authorized persons outside residence (APOR).
Of the APORs, there were 30 that did not show antigen or RT-PCR test results, and 110 did not show company ID, certificate of employment, or travel order.
Nearly 2,000 quarantine violators arrested in Pampanga
According to the police, those caught violating quarantine protocols can be imprisoned for up to 6 months or fined from P25,000 to P50,000, according to the law.
APORs were also reminded to purchase necessities before the curfew.
Tickets will also be issued to drivers of public vehicles who are caught not following the “one seat apart” policy inside the vehicles.
Meanwhile, Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said Tuesday that barangay tanods or guards could not carry guns while performing quarantine duties.
According to PNP said Eleazar ordered police commanders “to make sure that no barangay tanods would be allowed to carry guns especially in the enforcement of the quarantine rules.”
The PNP made the statement after a barangay tanod shot and killed a mentally ill quarantine violator in Tondo.
“In the enforcement of minimum public health safety standards and ECQ rules in Metro Manila, we always remind our law enforcers to observe maximum tolerance on quarantine violators,” Eleazar said.
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