ILOILO City – From March 22 to 24 the police arrested 249 persons for violating the curfew and house quarantine being imposed by various local government units across Western Visayas to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) data showed Negros Occidental having the highest number of violators at 92. Antique had 39 and Iloilo province, 35.
On Tuesday night in this city, the police arrested 40 curfew and quarantine violators in the City Proper area. They were temporarily held at the Iloilo Freedom Grandstand.
PRO-6 information officer Police Colonel Joem Malong said the violators were taken to police stations and released the following day.
“Some of them were minors and we needed to call the attention of their guardians or parents,” said Malong.
Others were of legal age and binge-drinking outside their houses, she added.
“We are once again urging the public to stay at home. We are reminding them, too, that there is a liquor ban,” said Malong.
The quarantine aims to limit the movement of people to prevent the transmission of COVID-19.
To those traveling to work, Malong said, should secure quarantine passes from their barangay councils or have their company identification cards ready.
“But if there is no work and no important matter to attend to, avoid loitering. Stay in your house. We have policemen conducting 24/7 checkpoints,” said Malong./PN
