116 quarantine violators rounded up in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines — At least 116 violators were rounded up on Wednesday by the police for not wearing facemasks and for violating the curfew in Cebu City.

This brings the total number of apprehensions to 1,000.

Police Lt. Colonel Wilbert Parilla, Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) deputy city director for operations, said the city cops apprehended a total of 1,000 violators for disregarding the quarantine protocols since January 1.

Most of the violators were cited for violating curfew hours, failing to present quarantine passes, and not wearing face masks.

Each violator was slapped with an administrative fine of P500.

Parilla, however, said the number of quarantine violators in the past few days went down compared to last week.

“Di na kaayo daghan violators di parehas kaniadto nga daghan kaayo ta madakpan kada gabii during the six-hour curfew (which starts at 11 p.m. until 5 a.m.),” he said.

It can be recalled that CCPO lobbied to the Cebu City government for the adjustment of the curfew hours to 10 p.m. from the existing 11 p.m.

Mayor Edgardo Labella earlier said he is “seriously” considering CCPO’s recommendation.

But he said he will have to meet first with the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) before making a decision.

“I understand the concern of the police, but what is also important is to seriously consider the economic dimension of the city... I will first have to consult with the business sector,” Labella said earlier.

In an earlier interview with The FREEMAN, CCCI President Felix Taguiam admitted that an earlier curfew would have an impact on businesses, which have just started to breathe again after months of lockdown in 2020.

“In reality, it will really hurt the night time business owners but our LGU’s aim is to control another situation from happening… We will have to consult our members and come up with a win-win situation,” he said.

3-Hour grace period

On the other hand, CCPO has given the authorized persons outside of residences (APOR) a maximum of three hours grace period to travel prior to and after work.

The grace period, Parilla said, is especially for those in the graveyard shifts or working for 24/7 establishments.

He asked the employers to indicate the length and time of their employees’ shifts in their certificates of employment (COE).

“Dili ingon nga naa’y kay COE allowed naka mogawas. Atong gipasabot sa mga APOR and trabahante nga ilahang COE should indicate the days nga magtrabaho and days nga off sila and to include the time sa ilahang hour of duty kay anha nato idetermine kun pwede sila mugawas or dili," he said.

He made the clarification after an employee, who was on the way to work, was detained for 12 hours in Barangay Tejero gym. The employee posted his experience online.

Cebu City is under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) since September 2020. — KQD (FREEMAN)