MANILA, Philippines — At least 566,000 people were apprehended in the past three months for violating minimum health protocols.
The quarantine violators were accosted across the country from March 1 to May 7, data from the Philippine National Police (PNP) showed.
At least 226,904 or 40.09 percent were caught for not wearing or not properly wearing their face masks and 219,778 or 38.81 percent for not wearing face shields.
The PNP said 115,999 were caught not observing physical distancing and 3,496 for holding mass gatherings.
The PNP said 406,743 or 71.84 percent of the violators were given a warning.
At least 129,041 were fined based on existing ordinances of local government units.
At least 30,393 were charged in court.
President Duterte had earlier ordered the PNP to arrest and detain those not wearing their face masks properly to curb the spread of COVID-19.
The Departments of the Interior and Local Government and Justice were tasked to prepare the guidelines.