By NG Seruela
The Philippine National Police (PNP) recorded almost 150,000 health protocol violators in the National Capital Region (NCR) during the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
In a Laging Handa public briefing on Monday (Aug. 23), PNP Chief Police Gen. Guillermo Eleazar disclosed that in the 150,000 violators recorded during the ECQ in Metro Manila, 70% were violators of the minimum public health standards such as wearing of masks and face shields, 30% were violators of the imposed curfew, while some were reported as non-APORs (Authorized Persons Outside of Residence) going outside of their homes.
“Mga 70% ay violation ng minimum public health standards. At ‘yung may violation naman ay sa curfew, around 30% at mayroong ilan-ilan na non-APOR na lumalabas.”
He said based on their data, 66% of the violators were only given a warning, 29% were ticketed, and 5% were brought to the police station.
Eleazar bared that the sanctions they implement are dependent on the ordinance imposed by the different local government units (LGUs).
“At usually ay [binibigyan] lang ng ticket at pinagmumulta. Kung hindi sila tumugon sa subpoena na pinadala ay pwede silang magkaroon ng warrant of arrest eventually,” he said.
According to the organization’s data, they have an average of 10,000 violators per day amid the 15 days of ECQ, while they have recorded 26,700 violators with an average of 13,300 per day in the first two days of the modified ECQ.
Meanwhile, the PNP chief said more establishments are now allowed to operate under MECQ. He added that the quarantine pass is no longer required, however, it depends on the LGUs.
“In fact, mayroon tayong establishments ngayon na not necessarily na essential sila, pero as long as hindi sila leisure or hindi sila kasama sa negative list ay pwede na sila mag-operate.”
“Pero kung ikukumpara natin iyan doon sa dating mga MECQ noong mga nakaraan, mas mahigpit pa rin ‘di hamak ngayon kasi itong MECQ natin ngayon hindi allowed iyong al fresco dine-in services… Ganoon din doon sa ating religious gatherings, itong MECQ ngayon hindi allowed iyong 10% na kagaya noong MECQ noon,” he emphasized. – rir
