By Jennifer P. Rendon and Glazyl Y. Masculino
The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) has arrested 121 persons over the weekend for curfew violation relative to the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine in the entire province.
Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo police chief, said the arrests were made a day after Executive Order No. 080 issued by Governor Arthur Defensor Jr. took effect.
On March 21, Lucas said different police stations collared 100 persons for staying out between 9 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Pavia made the most arrests with 33; Cabatuan with 15; Pototan, 13; Sta. Barbara, 12; San Enrique and Estancia with 6 each; and Dumangas, 5.
In Lambunao, 41 persons were warned for violating the curfew.
In Pototan town, 12 of 13 persons were placed under police custody for violating the mass gathering and liquor ban.
“Apparently, some people did not take seriously the warning against staying out during curfew hours,” he said.
The following day (evening of March 22 and early morning of March 23), police arrested 21 persons.
Iloilo City registered less arrests as police enforced Executive Order 055 and EO 055-A (Enhanced Community Quarantine) issued by Mayor Jerry Treñas.
Curfew hours in the city are from 8:00 p.m. until 5:00 a.m.
Police Captain Shella Mae Sangrines said that on the second day of enforcement, only four persons were arrested for violating EO 55.
Two persons were arrested in Molo and one each in Jaro and Mandurriao.
On the other hand, nine minors were reprimanded for violating the curfew rule.
“On the first day, we just rounded Iloilo City to remind the public. We made arrest on the following day,” she said.
So far, no one was arrested for breaching the general curfew guidelines, which aimed at putting the elderly (65 years old and above) and students under a 24-hour home quarantine.
728 NABBED IN BACOLOD
In Bacolod City, a total of 728 individuals were arrested for violating the curfew here in a week.
Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Pico, public information officer of Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that most of the arrested individuals were caught drinking liquor at the roadside and at bars during the curfew period.
On March 17, the city government implemented curfew to all residents here from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following day while the city is placed on a general community quarantine to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“There are still individuals who do not abide by the order,” Pico said, which he claimed to add difficulty to the police during the quarantine period. “Kadamo abi wala obra subong kag wala klase,” he said.
Pico said that the violators were placed under police custody for overnight and were brought home the following day as sanction for their violation.
Police Stations 3, 4, and 6 have the most number of arrest with more than 100 violators.
Pico continues to appeal to the public to help the government and the frontliners prevent the spread of the infectious disease by staying at home.
