PNP: No arrest of minors violating quarantine rules

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) yesterday assured the public that policemen will not arrest minors who are caught violating COVID-19 quarantine protocols.

PNP chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar gave the assurance after the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) said children who violate quarantine restrictions should not be arrested and should instead be given proper intervention and returned to their parents.

“We assure the CHR and the public that it falls within our mandate to care for and protect our children,” he said.
Eleazar added that they are fully aware of the provisions of Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act.

He said it has been the practice of police officers to talk to and admonish the parents of minors who are caught violating curfew and other quarantine restrictions.

“It is the parents that our police talk to, in order for the parents to educate their children,” he said.

A total of 58,780 persons have been accosted for violating the curfew and other COVID-19 guidelines under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in 27 quarantine control points (QCPs) in Metro Manila from Aug. 6 to 13, with 9,905 caught on Friday.

Eleazar said these violators were either apprehended, fined or warned for various violations.

If those from the adjoining provinces of Cavite, Laguna, Rizal and Bulacan are to be included, the number of violators stands at 178,171 in 78 QCPs.

Nationwide, there were 298,774 violators at 1,243 QCPs.
At least 10,986 PNP personnel are implementing quarantine protocols in the country, with 539 in Metro Manila.