130,517 quarantine violators charged

MANILA, Philippines — At least 130,517 people have been charged for violating quarantine protocols, the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported yesterday.

PNP deputy chief for administration Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said 73,437 of the quarantine violators are from Luzon, 31,334 from Mindanao and 25,746 in the Visayas.

Eleazar said 517,462 people were accosted for violating quarantine protocols and ordinances in the past 234 days.

He said charges were filed against the repeat offenders.

Among the charges are disobedience and non-compliance with local ordinances, such as curfew and wearing of face masks and face shields.

Eleazar said 318 of those charged are in police lockups, 278 of them in Luzon.

He said 180,234 other persons were given verbal warning while 2016,711 were released after they were fined.

Eleazar had earlier ordered police officials to strengthen coordination with local government units on the implementation of curfew as well as increased police visibility in business districts and places of convergence.

“It is important that our commanders on the ground re-strategize to ensure the protection of the people,” he said.