MORE than 1,000 individuals were apprehended by the police and the Cebu City government’s Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (Probe) just three days after the city shifted to general community quarantine (GCQ).
The 1,122 individuals were apprehended for violating quarantine protocol including bringing a quarantine pass when leaving the house, wearing of masks and observing social distancing.
Raquel Bohol-Arce, Probe head, said the 1,122 individuals have been apprehended since Aug. 1, 2020, when Cebu City’s GCQ started.
On Aug. 1, local police and the Probe apprehended 542 GCQ violators while on the next day, they apprehended 321 persons.
On Monday, Aug. 3, only 259 persons were apprehended.
Arce said their operations continue even though Cebu City is now under a less strict quarantine classification.
Arce said: “Our advice for those who want to go out even without a quarantine pass, don’t ever be complacent. Even if you can’t see the Covid-19 virus, the Special Action Force and our personnel can be seen and we will not hesitate to arrest you and bring you to Plaza Independencia to be disciplined.”
Arce said they were able to apprehend a lot of violators because some of them were taking advantage of the less strict quarantine status.
But Cebu City Mayor Edgardo Labella, who visited violators at the Plaza Independencia on Aug. 3, urged them to just stay at home if they have no important business to attend to.
Labella said the quarantine passes distributed by the city shouldn’t be used for leisure purposes. (PAC / JKV)