MANILA, Philippines — A total of 266 individuals have already been arrested by the authorities following the start of the liquor ban in the country early Sunday.
“Since we started the liquor ban, doon sa duration na six hours, we have arrested a total of 266 violators,” Metro Manila police chief Guillermo Eleazar said during the Balitaan sa Maynila news forum.
Eleazar then noted that this tally was as of 6 a.m. Out of the said number, 184 of this came from the city of Quezon City.
Data from Eleazar also showed that 27 of which came from the report of Northern Police District, 25 from Manila Police District, and 23 from Southern Police District.
The Eastern Police District recorded the lowest number of violators for the liquor ban with only seven apprehended, Eleazar said.
According to Eleazar, following the enforcement of city ordinances across Metro Manila, including the liquor ban, “more than a million” were arrested.
However, Eleazar said most of the violators of city ordinances were only given warnings. Some were made to pay fines.
The ban on selling and consuming alcoholic products took effect at past midnight Sunday as the nation gears up for the midterm polls on May 13.
The liquor ban will then be lifted after election day, Tuesday. (Editor: Julie Espinosa/Mike U. Frialde)