At least 4,200 face mask violators held in Quezon City

MANILA, Philippines — Over 4,200 persons were apprehended for violating the national government’s face mask policy during a “one-time, big-time” operation in Quezon City yesterday.

Personnel from the city government’s Department of Public Order and Safety, Task Force Disiplina and the Quezon City Police District apprehended at least 4,249 violators, DPOS chief Elmo San Diego said.

According to San Diego, the offenders were rounded up in 142 barangays in the city during simultaneous operations that started at around 6 a.m.

He said the violators were caught either not wearing or improperly using face masks.

They were brought to the Quezon Memorial Circle, where they were booked and fined. The penalties are P300, P500 and P1,000 for the first, second and third offense.

Meanwhile, 14 remain in custody as they have existing warrants of arrest for various crimes, San Diego said.

The city government said charges will be filed before the city prosecutor’s office for those who fail to pay the fine within the prescribed period.

Some of those apprehded include a volunteer at a community pantry and pedicab drivers setting up a community kitchen, according to urban poor group Save Sitio San Roque.

The city government said individuals who showed symptoms of COVID-19 underwent swab testing. Face masks and face shields were given to apprehended violators.

The city government recently distributed 1.2 million face masks and 300,000 face shields to indigent residents.

President Duterte last week ordered the Philippine National Police to arrest and detain people who are not wearing their face masks properly.

There are at least 4,366 active COVID-19 cases in Quezon City based on the local government’s latest report.

Since last year, at least 88,902 people from the city have contracted COVID. Of the number, 1,041 died while 83,495 have recovered.

Mayor Joy Belmonte said the city is intensifying its campaign to warn and educate residents on minimum health standards, ensuring that maximum tolerance will be observed when enforcing local ordinances.