NCRPO nabs 1.2 million ordinance violators

MANILA, Philippines — The National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) rounded up at least 1,191,090 persons since June last year for violating various ordinances in Metro Manila, an official said yesterday.

“The intention is to get rid of street bullies, who are usually drunk, who prey on passing strangers in their communities and even harass women who would pass by their drinking session area, mostly along the streets,” NCRPO director Maj. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said in an interview. 

Of the number of ordinance violators from June 13, 2018 to July 5 this year, smoking ban offenders made up 23.26 percent with 277,048 persons arrested.

Minors violating curfew hours came a far second with 74,547 or 6.26 percent while coming in third are those arrested for being half-naked in public with 63,844 or 5.36 percent.

Those drinking in public places came next, with 54,223 rounded up, accounting for 4.55 percent of the total number of violators. 

The rest, 721,428 persons, or 60.57 percent of the total arrests, violated other city and municipal ordinances in the metropolis.

Out of the apprehended individuals, 223,186 violators were fined, 168,487 were charged and 799,417 were given a warning.