THE Davao City Police Office (DCPO) logged a total of 1,250 quarantine violators who were apprehended after defying the guidelines under the enhanced community quarantine amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic.
DCPO Director Police Colonel Kirby John Kraft said that still almost every day they reported violations despite repetitive reminders on the protocols while ECQ is still in effect.
Based on their cumulative accomplishment covering the period of March 15 to May 2, there are a total of 986 individuals seized for violating the curfew hours, 147 for liquor ban, and 117 for social distancing/mass gathering.
Kraft added that a total of 855 cases were filed before the court against the erring individuals.
For those who went outside their residence without food and medicine (FM) pass, authorities likewise rounded up a total of 913 from April 4 to May 2.
Following the reported case of Covid-19 in Davao Region, the City Government of Davao laid out precautionary measures to prevent the contagion. The city imposed curfew hours wherein people are only allowed to go out between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., 24 hours liquor ban, social distancing, and a coding scheme for the use of FM passes.
The DCPO chief said that one of the challenges that their office is facing right now in enforcement is the congestion of their detention facilities. Congestion in these facilities may lead to possible contamination since physical distancing may not be observed due to limited space.
“Challenge pa rin on how we can accommodate them in our detention cell [with the] bigger number of arrested violators,” Kraft said.
A regular filling procedure is implemented. To prevent overcrowding, the violators were sent home after the collection of their information. Police will only issue subpoena once the ECQ is lifted and the situation normalizes.
Meanwhile, on their operation against hoarding, overpricing, and profiteering, DCPO has arrested a total of 31 suspects following the conduct of 14 operations.
The confiscated items are 3,191 liters of alcohol, 50 pieces of face masks, 8 boxes of surgical gloves, 88 pieces of an infrared thermal scanner, 1,405 bottles of disinfectant/ liquid soap, 26 sacks of kalamansi, and 40 sacks of rice.
Meanwhile, a total of 14 cases were filed against the suspects.
DCPO reiterated its appeal for the cooperation of the public to follow the authorities in the wake of the crisis to beat the disease. Kraft also said that they will continue the enforcement of the policies and warned that charged awaits for violators.