Authorities are now conducting an investigation on the death of a reported quarantine protocol violator in Cavite Province due to an alleged punishment of pumping exercise.
Currently being investigated are two police personnel believed to have been on duty during the incident.
“Kung may lalabas na paglabag ang ating kapulisan dito sa nangyaring ito sa Cavite, papanagutin natin, sasampahan ng kaukulang kasong administratibo at kasong criminal (If a violation is found on the part of the police in this Cavite incident, we will hold them accountable and they will face administrative and criminal charges),” Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) USec. Jonathan Malaya assured.
The victim, Darren Peñaredondo, was reportedly caught on Maundy Thursday for allegedly violating curfew hours to buy water and was brought to the General Trias Police Station.
General Trias Chief of Police PLTC. Marlo Solero defended that they do not impose “physical exercise as punishment” on quarantine violators, saying that they only do “purely lecturing”.
The local government of General Trias, Cavite is now probing if there were lapses on the part of the barangay.
Mayor Ony Ferrer emphasized they place importance on following health protocols to prevent COVID-19 transmission but said it is not their policy to harm violators.
Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra earlier explained the arrest of violators is covered by Republic Act No. 11332 or Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases. However, it would be more appropriate to base decisions on local ordinances in light of the current situation.
“I also recommended that in the enforcement, in the stricter enforcement of our ordinances, LGUs (local government units) consider the possibility of imposing na lamang (only) the penalty of community service,” Sec. Guevarra proposed.
The Philippine National Police (PNP) expressed support for the suggestion of the justice secretary, citing the directive of General Debold Sinas to just warn or fine violators.
Latest data from the Joint Task Force COVID Shield show that 23,466 individuals have violated curfew hours, 13,456 of whom were warned, 9,044 were fined, and 966 were ordered to do community service. – Report from Bea Bernardo/AG-JBB
