Police warns public: Violators of health protocols will now be arrested, fined

MANDAUE CITY, Cebu–Quarantine violators in Cebu City will no longer just be reprimanded as they will now be arrested and fined, police here said.

Police Colonel Josefino Ligan, the director of the Cebu City Police Office (CCPO), said that with the city ordering an intensified implementation of protocols while under Modified Enhanced Community Quarantine (MECQ), police will now start arresting violators and fine them.

READ: Higher fines, border controls, limited movement in Cebu City

“Humana ang pahimango, nidako na ang penalty, so.. atoang tan-awon karon mosaka ba ni ang atong dakop, kun naminaw ba sila, nahadlok ba sila ani, or kon mo-minus,” said Ligan.

Those who are arrested will be brought to a holding facility and be told to pay a fine of P1,000. Those who can’t pay will be told to do community service.

Ligan agrees with Cebu City Acting Mayor Michael Rama that it is time to intensify the implementation of the protocols in the hopes of stopping the spread of a stronger COVID-19 virus.

He urged the public to stay at home if there is no need to go outdoors, while stressing that the newly imposed P1,000 fine is a big value that they would be wasting should they be caught violating safety protocols.

“Nganong i-violate paman gyud ni ninyo nga kining usa ka libo karon, dako na kaayo ni’g bili. So, pahimangno, ug ikaduha pa, kahadloki ninyo ang COVID kay sumala sa report, daghan na kaayong nangamatay. Daghan na kaayong naglinya sa hospital. Kon masakit mo og COVID, maghuwat mo sa hospital para maasikaso mo, hulaton paaba ninyo?”  Ligan said.

Since the implementation of MECQ status last August 1 and until August 10, police here have apprehended an average of 150 adults and rounded up 30 minors for violating health protocols.

Ligan, meanwhile, urged parents to also monitor their children, considering that some of the violators were caught inside internet cafes in barangays.

“Mao pod nang usa nga atong giawhag sa atong mga barangay officials, nga matabangan ta sa mga internetan sud sa barangay nga mga wala’y permits. Dili gyud pwede kay mao manay makapa-aghat sa mga bata nga makapagawas sa balay,” he said.

Ligan said they are conducting regular checkpoints day and night apart from the regular ‘rekorida.’

Border controls are also in place in Barangay Bulacao, Cebu City, which would check and ensure the compliance of quarantine restrictions in public transportation.

/bmjo