OVER 48,000 people were apprehended by Philippine National Police (PNP) agents in Metro Manila and other parts of the country for violation of minimum health safety protocols on All Saints’ Day, a report to PNP chief, General Guillermo Lorenzo T. Eleazar said on Monday.

However, police said there was a generally peaceful situation as Filipinos remembered their departed loved ones on All Saints’ Day and All Souls Day.

National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) director, Major Gen. Vicente D. Danao Jr. said the situation was very peaceful in Metro Manila as police tightened their security in an around public cemeteries, memorial parks and columbaries which were closed for the meantime to prevent possible ‘super spreader events.’’

PNP records showed that from October 16 to last Monday, police have accosted 820,983 violators of Minimum Public Health Safety protocols imposed by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

They include 166,277 from Metro Manila where a total of 10,230 were apprehended on Monday alone.

The violators were apprehended for breaking government rules like the mandatory wearing of face masks and face shields in public places and the strict observance of physical distancing as well as curfew violations.

The PNP said a total of 652,917 persons were apprehended for violation of MPHS protocols during the period while 101,120 were curfew violators.

Another 33,948 were accosted by policemen manning quarantine control points after they were found to be unauthorized persons outside of residence.

Of the total number of apprehended persons, 80 percent or 658,034 were issued warning before being release; 13 percent or 55,640 were ordered to pay fines imposed by local government units while eight percent or 55,640 received other penalties like community service.

Those who were released were warned that a repeat offense would bring them more trouble with the law.

AUTHOR PROFILE

Alfred P. Dalizon