Over 200 curfew violators caught in Cebu City

CEBU, Philippines —  Over 200 individuals were rounded up for violating curfew in the first two days Cebu City implemented new curfew hours leading to the peak of the holidays.

Curfew hours for adults are now from 12 a.m. to 3 a.m. while curfew hours for minors are now from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m.   

On the first day of implementation on December 3, at least 129 were caught lingering outside while at least 100 others were rounded up on the second day, said Councilor Joel Garganera, deputy chief implementer of the city’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC).

Most of those rounded up are young people at commercial establishments.

Garganera said the numbers tend to show that residents are starting to get complacent.

“Overall, medyo kumpyansa na gyud ang mga tao kay hasta curfew dili naman mo respeto,” Garganera said.

Those rounded up by the police were made to pay a P1,000 fine or do community service.

The city’s Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) is also monitoring establishments that are reported to be violating health and safety protocols.

“Duha ka klase nga actions among i-take depende if ang establishment naa sa among list nga nagsige og violate for the past two weeks,” said lawyer Jared Limquiaco.

First time violators will get a show cause order from the city.

“If wala sa list and naabtan sa operation, i-show cause lang then ipa-explain in writing nganong ni-violate, and, from there, depende sa gravity sa violation and kung meritorious ba or di ang explanation, mag-issue mi og warning, suspension, or revocation of the special permit to serve liquor,” Limquiaco explained.

If an establishment is already in BPLO’s list and caught violating anew, BPLO can revoke its special permit to serve liquor and, subsequently, its permit to operate.

“If naa sa list and naabtan sa operation, diretso kuhaon ang special permit to serve liquor then tawagon for a conference for determination if e-final revoke ba,” Limquiaco said.

At least two establishments were issued a show cause order on first day of implementation of the new curfew hours.

Garganera called on the public to be content with the present regulations.

“Let us be contented of where we are right now. Let’s be gradual in navigating this crisis or else, sa makausab, mawagtang na sad ning atong kagawasan,” Garganera said.

He said the city cannot afford another surge of COVID-19 infections and how the city will celebrate Christmas and New Year will be determined by how residents behave.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Cebu City has experienced three waves or surges. In the first wave in June 2020, Cebu City was tagged as the epicenter of pandemic in the country.

“We can’t afford another surge. Our behavior today will shape the kind of Christmas and New Year we will celebrate. We want a safe and happy holidays and let us keep it that way, all the time,” Garganera said. – Decemay P. Padilla, JMO (FREEMAN)