CHECKPOINT. Even before curfew hours were reimposed, the Pasay City police were already strict on violators of local ordinances. In this February 5 photo, the community police near the Cultural Center of the Philippines made sure the motorcycle rider was carrying proper credentials. (Photo courtesy of CCPComplex PCP Pasay)
MANILA – The Pasay City government and the local police intensified the enforcement of health protocols amid the continuing spike of coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases, resulting in the arrest of 448 curfew violators as of Tuesday.
City police chief Col. Cesar Paday-os said since the reinstatement of longer curfew hours on March 12, most of the apprehended violators claimed they were not aware of the new rule.
"Marami pa rin po ang nagpapalusot kahit alam na nila na may bagong curfew na pinatutupad ay talagang lumalabas pa rin sila ng bahay para gumala kahit walang importanteng dahilan (Many of them make excuses even though they already knew that a new curfew is being implemented, They still roam around without essential activities),” Paday-os told reporters.
Mayor Emi Calixto-Rubiano, who is also a Covid-19 survivor, urged her constituents anew to strictly observe the minimum health standards and other local ordinances to contain the transmission of the dreaded disease.
As of Sunday, Pasay still has 765 active Covid-19 cases and 8,419 recoveries after 114 were reported to have recovered from the disease.
"Ito po ang tamang panahon para magka-isa tayo na labanan ang pandemya at magagawa natin ito kung magiging responsable tayong mga mamamayan na sumusunod sa mga itinatakda ng ating pamahalaan. Sana po ay makipag-tulungan tayo (It's a perfect time for us to be united to fight this pandemic and we can only do this if we become responsible citizens adhering to the government-enforced protocols, I hope we help each other),” the mayor said.
First-time offenders of curfew hours will be listed on the barangay blotter.
For the second offense, violators will be fined PHP1,000 while the third and succeeding offenses will require a PHP5,000-fine.
"All those arrested will be issued citation tickets issued by the Office of the City Treasurer and must pay the fine within 24 hours to avoid being criminally prosecuted," the city government said.
Apprehending officers also issue citation tickets to residents caught without masks and face shields in public places. (PNA)
