The Philippine National Police (PNP) has clarified that individuals without face masks in public places will not be arrested after the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) announced that it is mandatory.
According to Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield Commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, individuals who will violate the policy will only be reprimanded.
The PNP also urges Local Government Units (LGUs) to issue an ordinance in wearing face masks in public in order to strengthen the policy by the IATF.
Gen. Eleazar adds they will continue to arrest residents who will not follow the guidelines of the Enhanced Community Quarantine.
Based on the PNP’s data, more than 20,000 individuals have already been arrested for curfew violations.
Still, the PNP considers the implementation of the ECQ as successful.
Report from Bea Bernardo
