Penalties for quarantine violators start Sunday

CEBU, Philippines — Starting tomorrow, August 16, violations on quarantine and other related protocols in Cebu City will now be a court battle.

This as the ordinance penalizing any violation during a public health crisis will start to take effect in the city.

Thus, from the currently imposed seminars, community extension work and physical exercises, violators will now be charged in court and face a jail term of up to one month and a fine of up to P5,000.

Cebu City Councilor David Tumulak has appealed to the residents to refrain to avoid facing the stiffer penalties.

“For those who will violate quarantine protocols on Sunday, ma-prosecute gyud sila sama sa regular court filing,” said Tumulak, who is one of the authors of the ordinance.

Tumulak met yesterday with the representatives from Cebu City Police Office, court, City Legal Office, Bureau of Jail Management and Penology, and Prevention Restoration Order Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) Team to discuss the enforcement of the ordinance.

Under the ordinance, violators of rules during a public health crisis may be fined and imprisoned.

First-time offenders may be fined P1,500 and imprisoned for less than 30 days, or both, at the discretion of the court. Second-time offenders will be fined P3,000 and imprisoned for 30 days while third-time offenders may be fined P5,000 and jailed for 30 days.

The violator will also be disqualified from receiving the cash incentive from the city, financial assistance, grant, tax amnesty, or other monetary and financial benefits, if any, for two years since the penalties were imposed.

Meanwhile, businesses who violate rules may find their licenses revoked or their establishments closed down.

Tumulak urged the public to follow quarantine protocols because the purpose of the ordinance is to prevent them from violating these, especially now that the city is under general community quarantine (GCQ).

He said this is also part of the city’s efforts to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Prohibited acts

Among the prohibited activities are loitering in the streets and other public areas, going out of the residence without the required G/ECQ passes, or without wearing any facemasks or other forms of protective equipment, or any form of mass gathering such as movie screenings, sporting events, entertainment activities, and other non-essential assemblies or meetings.

Starting Sunday, violators will be brought to Plaza Independencia not to exercise or render community service but to have their case processed.

“Dad-on gihapon sa plaza para na siya pag-file na og case, pag-process ngadto sa mga police station og asa siya na-belong nadakpan. I-record na tanan, dunay recording ang PROBE para ma-determine nato first offense or second offense,” said Tumulak.

If the violators caught are minors, the juvenile justice law will be enforced and it will depend on the court if the parents will be the one to face the case, said the councilor.

Republic Act 9344 or the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 covers the different stages involving children at risk and children in conflict with the law from prevention to rehabilitation and reintegration.

On Wednesday, Tumulak said an amendment to the ordinance will be filed in relation to the penalty per the request of Mayor Edgardo Labella.

“I-amend nato ang ordinance sa penalty kay nalooy si Mayor Labella, mo-file ta og amendment sa atong ordinance. If ma-approve, makapangayo ra tag administrative fine of P500 unya dili na sila i-prosecute sa court,” said Tumulak.

However, while awaiting approval of the amendment, the current penalties stated in the ordinance will be followed.

“Di pa man ni madali-dali kay mag-agi man nig process diha sa City Council,” said Tumulak. /KQD (FREEMAN)