125 individuals nabbed in 1st day of Cebu City MECQ

125 individuals nabbed in 1st day of Cebu City MECQ. (File photo)
125 individuals nabbed in 1st day of Cebu City MECQ. (File photo)

THE Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) apprehended 125 individuals during the first day of strict security implementation in relation to the city’s modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status on Sunday, Aug. 1, 2021.

Of the 125 individuals that were apprehended, 119 were adults while the rest were minors.

Col. Josefino Ligan, CCPO director, said the 125 individuals were apprehended during the start of their checkpoints and patrols around the City at the beginning of the implementation of MECQ last Sunday.

The violators were apprehended for violating the curfew, for failing to wear face masks, and for violating the city’s liquor ban.

Ligan said they have established 16 quarantine control points in various areas in the City to ensure that those who pass there are following the minimum health protocols.

Ligan said aside from his personnel, accompanying them in their operations are barangay peace and safety officers (BPSOs) and force multipliers, among others.

Ligan said they are also conducting information disemmination patrols on sitios of some barangays with higher Covid-19 cases such as Barangay Guadalupe.

A total of 225 establishments were also inspected by authorities to ensure that minimum public health protocols were properly observed, Ligan added.

Separately, Acting Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama urged the public to follow the MECQ guidelines and better stay at home especially senior citizens or those above 65 years old and minors to avoid getting apprehended for violating quarantine protocols.

“Please do not challenge authority, or you will get arrested.Pwede molakaw kung gikinahanglan. Kamong mga ginikanan bantayi inyong mga anak. Basin kamo ray gibantayan (You may go out, if necessary. Parents, watch your children. They might slip out when you’re not looking),” Rama added.

Meanwhile, Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla of CCPO also warned drivers and passengers of public utility vehicles (PUV) that they could face arrest if they fail to comply with health protocols.

Parilla, who is CCPO’s deputy director for operation, told reporters that their personnel are closely inspecting PUVs at quarantine checkpoints to check if they are overloaded with passengers.

Parilla said it was agreed by local officials, officials of the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board 7 and even members of PUV groups in the city that the police can arrest both driver and passengers if the former is caught overloading his vehicle.

Parilla said they made the agreement after Cebu City’s Emergency Operations Center reported that majority of Covid-19 cases reported in the City got infected because of the lack of social distancing measures in PUVs, particularly public utility jeepneys. (MVE, AYB / JKV)

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