BUTUAN CITY – More than 8,500 violators of quarantine protocols to stop the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) in the Caraga Region have been arrested from Sept. 17 to Oct. 31 this year, the Police Regional Office-13 (PRO-13) reported Wednesday.
“Of the 8,578 apprehended, 724 violated the existing curfew hours implemented in their localities, 3,807 for disobedience to a person or agent in authority, 3,220 for not wearing a face mask, and 827 for the violation on physical distancing,” said Brig. Gen. Romeo M. Caramat Jr., PRO-13 director, in a statement on Wednesday.
A total of 7,035 arrested violators were asked to pay fines, at least 1,536 were given warning, and seven were charged in courts, Caramat said.
Based on reports from police stations, Caramat noted that many residents continue to violate the minimum standards set by health officials, as part of the broader Covid-19 containment measures.
“We continue our call on the public for cooperation as this war against Covid-19 will be far from over if the public remains uncooperative with the authorities,” Caramat said.
He also urged police units to intensify monitoring and help the local government units implement health protocols.
Caramat said police stations and units in the region are also involved in information campaigns for residents to realize the pandemic's seriousness and help them follow health protocols.
As of Wednesday (Nov. 4), the Department of Health in Caraga (DOH-13) said the region has a total of 2,905 cumulative Covid-19 cases, 2,232 recoveries, 547 remaining active cases, and 126 deaths. (PNA)
