Police to monitor social media for quarantine violators

MANILA, Philippines — Police will now monitor social media platforms to search for and apprehend hardheaded individuals violating coronavirus quarantine protocols.

Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for administration, yesterday instructed police commanders to regularly check social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram for photographs and videos that show citizens partying or violating guidelines set by the government against COVID-19.

Among these are drinking sessions, parties and other mass gatherings that violate the prohibition on such gatherings.

Eleazar cited Facebook pages, which post photos and videos of quarantine violations.

“The social media are full of photos and evidence of hardheaded people deliberately violating the quarantine protocols,” he said in a statement.

At least 368,032 individuals were accosted for violation of health safety protocols since the community quarantine started last March 17. Some 154,851 violators were warned, 114,156 received fines and the rest were detained and charged in court.

Eleazar said they will use the photographs and video as evidence against the violators for possible sanctions such as warning and fines.

The police official warned that those caught in drinking sessions may also face additional cases for violation of liquor ban ordinances.

Eleazar urged netizens to help the PNP in running after quarantine violators, even if they are policemen.

Last May, National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas came under fire after photographs of his “mañanita” or birthday serenade posted on the NCRPO’s Facebook page went viral.

The PNP Internal Affairs Service (IAS) filed charges against Sinas and other police officials but he has remained at his post.