1,200 quarantine violators nabbed in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Over 1,200 quarantine violators were apprehended during a “one-time, big-time” operation in Quezon City yesterday.

Personnel from the city government’s Department of Public Order and Safety (DPOS), Task Force Disiplina and Quezon City Police District rounded up a total of 1,238 violators from the 142 barangays in the city.

DPOS chief Elmo San Diego said the violators consist of 997 men, 213 women and 28 minors.

The individuals were accosted for violating safety protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19. These include not wearing face masks and not observing physical distancing rules in public.

Some were also apprehended for not carrying quarantine passes.

“COVID-19 cases are increasing so there is a need to arrest the violators,” San Diego said in Filipino in a phone interview.

At least 7,873 persons in Quezon City have tested positive for COVID-19. Of the number, 326 have died while 5,465 have recovered from the virus.

The violators were booked and fined P300 to P500. Lawmen also gave them a lecture on the dangers of COVID-19.

As part of their punishment, San Diego said the violators were made to find their way home on their own from the Quezon Memorial Circle, where they were transported following their arrest.

San Diego assured their marshals strictly enforced physical distancing measures and other safety measures to ensure that violators will not get infected with COVID-19 while under custody.