COTABATO CITY – Police nabbed eight persons who played basketball in Alamada, North Cotabato on Monday amid the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) across the province.
“They were instructed to stop the basketball activity but ignored it and refused to stay inside their homes so they were arrested,” Lt. Col. Nilo Capellan, spokesperson of the Police Regional Office – 12, said in a report.
Those arrested were Alex Teopilo Licera, 55; Fharden Jay Licera, 23; Marlon Rotula Roa, 24; Anthony Teopilo Licera, 47; Alejandro Jadraque Teopilo, 42; Ronald Rodel Teopilo, 36; Danilo Teopilo Zulueta Jr, 29; and Albert Teopilo Licera, 30; all of Barangay Barangiran in Alamada.
“They were engaged in a sweaty game of basketball in close contact despite strict instructions for social distancing in the ECQ implementation,” Capellan said.
He added that after the arrested persons were properly documented, before they were released from police custody.
Charges against the violators will later be pursued after the ECQ is lifted and the situation normalizes in the province, the police official said.
On Monday, health officials in North Cotabato confirmed its first 2019 coronavirus disease (Covid-19) positive patient who has travel history to a cockfighting event in Davao City. (PNA)
