MANILA -- More than 600,000 violators of various ordinances in Metro Manila have been nabbed since June, National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief, Director Guillermo Eleazar said Sunday.
Based on NCRPO records, a total of 624,361 violators were nabbed from June 13 to 5 to Dec. 30, 2018, with violators of the smoking ban topping the list.
Police rounded up a total of 160,739 violators of the smoking ban during the close to six months period, accounting for 25.74 percent of all the arrests.
Minors violating curfew hours had the next biggest number, although with a much lower number of 38,168, or 6.11 percent of all those arrested all over Metro Manila in the said period.
Those nabbed for not wearing shirts in public were 36,461 in all, or 5.84 percent of the total arrests.
Those drinking in public places came next, with 29,312 rounded up, accounting for 4.69 percent of the total number of violators across the board.
The rest, 359,681 people, or 57.61 percent of the total arrests were nabbed for other violations.
The Quezon City Police District still had the biggest number of arrests -- 373,883 violators – 59.88 percent or more than half of all those arrested all over Metro Manila.
The Eastern Police District placed second with 118,468 persons (18.97 percent) apprehended, followed by Northern Police District with 44,103 (7.06 percent), Manila Police District with 50,372 (6.01 percent) and Southern Police District with 37,535 (6.01 percent).
Eleazar said most of the violators were immediately released after paying a fine or due to humanitarian considerations.
Based on NCRPO data, 122,531 of the arrested violators have been fined, while 89,747 were charged and two violators are still under the custody of the SPD.
The implementation of city ordinances is part of the peace and order strategy of the police. (PNA)
