293,175 quarantine violators nabbed

MANILA, Philippines — At least 293,175 quarantine violators have been arrested by the Philippine National Police (PNP) in the past 141 days since the lockdowns started in March.

Data released yesterday by PNP deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar showed that 144,161 of the violators were let off with warnings while 67,462 were fined.

Eleazar said of the 81,552 people who were detained, 76 percent or 62,246 were released.

He said that while compliance with health protocols was relatively high among Filipinos, enforcing stricter quarantine rules is important during the modified enhanced community quarantine or MECQ to prevent the spread of the virus.

President Duterte reverted Metro Manila and the nearby provinces of Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal to MECQ until Aug. 18 following the appeal of medical frontliners amid the surge in the number of COVID-19 cases.

Eleazar, who heads the Joint Task Force COVID Shield, said the public should expect random checkpoints in areas under MECQ.

There are around 3,400 quarantine checkpoints in the country, more than 400 of which are located in Metro Manila.

“These are random checkpoints so citizens would have apprehensions on breaking quarantine rules. We will inspect vehicles. We are adjusting because we don’t want to cause monstrous traffic jams,” Eleazar said.

He said the Highway Patrol Group would continue implementing Oplan Habol Sita or mobile checkpoints along EDSA and other major thoroughfares.