SAN JOSE, Antique – Police officers in this province will be arresting individuals who will violate curfew hours without warning.
Antique Police Provincial Office chief for operations Lieutenant Colonel Norby Escobar said they already received a directive from the Police Regional Office 6 to implement “physical arrest” to curfew violators immediately without warning starting April 23.
“The directive actually came from Philippine National Police chief General Archie Francisco Gamboa to conduct immediate physical arrest without warning,” said Escobar.
Authorities have been imposing an 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew rule since last month under Gov. Rhodora Cadiao’s Executive Order (EO) No. 35.
Aside from curfew violators, they would
also arrest those who do not use face mask in public places, which is now
mandatory under Cadiao’s EO No. 40, and those who do not apply proper physical
distancing.
From March 17 to April 12, police apprehended at least 116 persons in this province
due to curfew violations. They were recorded by 13 police stations.
Of the 116 persons, 88 of whom were warned, one was fined, seven were under inquest and 20 are still waiting for regular filing of their cases in court.
In Sibalom and Culasi towns in this province, curfew violators are ordered to do vigil in front of empty coffins placed in gymnasiums. They will be released once curfew is over.(With a report from PNA/PN)
