ILOILO City – Amid the community quarantine being imposed to curb the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) recorded 2,799 quarantine violators from May 8 to 25. These individuals were either warned or fined.
“Despite our series of reminders, many Ilonggos still forget to wear their basic defense against COVID-19… some may have facemasks but they don’t wear them properly,” said IPPO director, Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero.
Of the 2,799 violators, 1,371 were caught not properly wearing facemasks, while 1,428 did not wear facemasks at all.
The top 10 municipalities with the most number of violators are Lemery (213), Sara (99), Miag-ao (85), Dumangas (81), Dueñas (80), San Miguel (77), Badiangan (65), Banate (64), Batad (58), and Janiuay (53).
Gorero said no violators have been arrested yet, as the police were exerting effort to educate the public regarding the health protocols.
Some violators were brought to police stations and were lectured on the importance of facemasks.
“We are still on a massive information drive through the social media, rekorida and coordination meetings with stakeholders regarding the wearing of facemasks and observance of other health protocols,” Gorero said.
For now, most violators received warnings, while 94 were fined based on existing municipal ordinances, and 78 were told to render community service.
Gorero said violators of the facemask policy can be arrested, especially if they remain defiant after initial reminders. He also observed that most violators are from towns far from the city.
“We believe that these people from rural towns are getting complacent thinking that the gravity of the pandemic is in the metropolis. Malapit man sa city or malayo, dapat gid mag-wear sang facemask para maganubo ang aton kaso (COVID-19). Sa mga hard-headed nga mga violators we will arrest them and put them in jail,” he added./PN
