PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Archie Gamboa on Tuesday, April 21, said they will no longer issue any warning but will immediately arrest those who flout enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) rules.
In a virtual press conference Tuesday, Gamboa said the intensified enforcement of quarantine rules will be implemented in Metro Manila, Central Luzon, Calabarzon and in localities with high or increasing novel coronavirus infections.
In the Visayas, Cebu City has recorded the highest number of confirmed infections at 173, with seven reported only Tuesday.
Foremost, there will be no more warning for ECQ violators-- instead arrest and inquest procedures will be applied to cases of violation of Republic Act No. 11469; Republic Act No. 11332; as well as Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, Gamboa said.
Gamboa also confirmed the deployment of 12 Special Action Force (SAF) teams composed of 116 personnel to enforce social distancing protocols in public markets in Metro Manila.
He noted that from March 17 to April 21, there were 98,986 ECQ violators who were warned, 6,168 fined, and 31,363 arrested.
Of those arrested, 2,467 are still detained.
A total of 24,248 cases have been filed against 136,517 ECQ violators in the past 35 days.
In the same period, Gamboa said 732 persons were also arrested for hoarding, profiteering and manipulation of prices of basic goods.
A total of 9,419 drivers of public utility vehicles were apprehended. (SunStar Philippines)