BY DOMINIQUE GABRIEL BAÑAGA
BACOLOD City – Police authorities in Negros Occidental are hoping to catch “hardheaded” quarantine violators with help from social media.
Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office’s (NOPPO) anti-cyber crime unit started monitoring social media posts for quarantine violators such as those hosting mass gatherings.
Lieutenant Wilma Silva, NOPPO assistant public information officer, said they will check the photos being posted online.
Investigation would be carried out whenever they spot someone violating the quarantine protocols, such as those hosting mass gatherings.
Even if the pictures are “throwbacks,” Silva said they will still conduct an investigation.
The NOPPO official also stated that those who are found violating quarantine protocols could be penalized, pointing out the hosting of mass gatherings is prohibited since there is an ongoing pandemic.
She also advised the public for cooperation, adding they can forward information to police should they know someone who is violating the quarantine protocols.
Earlier this week, Task Force COVID Shield head, Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar ordered police commanders nationwide to regularly monitor social media to catch violators of community quarantine protocols.
“Social media are full of photos and evidence of hardheaded people deliberately violating the quarantine protocols. These can be used as pieces of evidence to warn, to fine, and to summon the people concerned in coordination with the barangay officials concerned,” he said.
Cops will be looking out for “mass gathering for drinking sessions” and other “forms of celebration” that violate health safety protocols – photos and videos of which are posted on social media by people complaining about them, or the ones doing it themselves.
Those caught drinking will face more charges if there is a liquor ban in their locality, Eleazar said./PN
