BACOLOD City Police Office (BCPO) director Colonel Henry Binas is still waiting for the guidelines from the Philippine National Police (PNP) central office to arrest persons vaping in public.
Biñas said Wednesday, November 20, he has not yet received the copy of the order.
“We will implement the directive as soon as we received the guidelines,” he said.
He added that vaping in public is not good so the public should follow the directive because this is for the good of everybody.
Biñas also asked the cooperation of the public to avoid sanction and penalties.
PNP officer-in-charge Lieutenant General Archie Gamboa Wednesday ordered all police units to arrest persons vaping in public.
Gamboa issued the order less than 24 hours after President Rodrigo Duterte gave a verbal directive to arrest those vaping in public.
On Tuesday, Duterte announced that he will ban vaping and the importation of electronic cigarettes and other vaping devices and products because it is toxic and habit-forming.
Duterte said an executive order imposing the ban on vaping will follow. But pending the issuance of such an EO, Gamboa said the police will make arrests based on Executive Order No. 26.
PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Bernard Banac in a statement said Gamboa also ordered police commanders to boost police visibility in all public places, particularly near schools, and arrest and warn those who will be caught vaping in non-designated areas.
Banac also reminded PNP personnel as well as the public that all PNP campuses and offices have been declared “no vape zone.”
Gamboa urged e-cigarette users to stop.
“This serves as a warning to them that they (vape users) either follow the law or totally stop from using e-cigarette because of its hazardous effects on their health,” said Gamboa. (with report from SunStar Philippines)