By Christopher Lloyd Caliwan/PNA
MANILA – The Philippine National Police (PNP) has apprehended 566,177 individuals from March 1 to May 7 for violating minimum public health standards amid the COVID-19 outbreak.
Based on the latest data released by the PNP on Wednesday (May 12), 219,778 were apprehended for not wearing face shields – 185,010 of them were given a warning, 28,559 were fined, and 6,209 were charged.
Meanwhile, 226,904 were accosted for not wearing face masks – 127,060 of them were warned, 81,354 were fined, and 18,490 charged.
A total of 3,496 individuals were flagged for mass gathering – 2,496 of them were reprimanded, 720 were fined, and 280 were charged.
In the same period, the police also accosted 115,999 for violating physical distancing protocols – 92,177 of them were warned for such behavior, 18,408 were fined, and 5,414 were charged.
Fines ranged from P100 to P5,000, depending on the ordinances of local government units.
PNP Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, has ordered police officers to provide free face masks to persons who cannot afford to buy one.
He added that violators of the face-mask ordinance would not be jailed but would be booked and investigated.
Violators will also undergo a records check to determine whether they are repeat offenders. (with Priam Nepomuceno/PNA) -jlo
