CURFEW violators will be apprehended, the Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for operations warned.
Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said on Tuesday, March 24, said the curfew in Luzon is essentially 24 hours due to the total lockdown.
This means the people should stay at home. Only one person per household is allowed to go out for a supply run.
“Itong curfew na ito pinapatupad ng mga LGUs para mag-stay tayo sa bahay. Sa oras ng curfew, puwede naming kayo i-accost o arestuhin,” Eleazar said.
President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the entire Luzon under enhanced community quarantine in a bid to stop or prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19).
In some localities, those authorized to venture out of their homes may only do so at certain hours.
Violators of the enhanced community quarantine may be arrested and charged under Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act).
Police checkpoints have been established at the border of each town or municipalities to limit the movement of the people while policemen and barangay officials conduct patrols to make sure the people stay inside their homes.
Eleazar, who is also the head of the Task Force CV Shield, said more people are now staying at home and the situation at the checkpoints has improved.
Task Force CV Shield is composed of the PNP, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Bureau of Fire Protection and Philippine Coast Guard.
PNP Chief Archie Gamboa has vowed to intensify the implementation of law enforcement operations especially that of targeting local ordinance violators.
“We pressed charges against the violators. On the case of minors, they were segregated from the adults and were turned over to their parents/guardian. If in cases there were no guardian or parents to fetch them, they will be turned over to local social welfare officer,” Gamboa said.
“To the parents, please see to it that your children, especially minors to stay at home with you. Go out only if necessary for emergencies or health related reasons but only one person is allowed to go outside. Help us to win this fight, cooperation is a must. Save your life, save our frontliners' lives. Stay at home. PNP kakampi mo laban sa Covid-19,” he added. (SunStar Philippines)