PNP backpedals, says curfew violators will still be arrested

MANILA, Philippines — After previously saying it will not detain curfew violators of the strict quarantine measures, the Philippine National Police (PNP) has calibrated its stance, saying leniency will lead to more people going against the rules.

PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said Sunday this will defeat the purpose of keeping people inside their homes amid the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak.

“Based on our assessment, the number of curfew violators will just continue to rise if we become lenient on them. This will definitely defeat the purpose of the declaration of the Enhanced Community Quarantine which President Duterte approved purposely to contain the COVID-19,” Eleazar said in a statement.

Eleazar earlier said PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa has ordered not to detain curfew violators of the Luzon-wide coronavirus quarantine.

Those found to violate the curfew will only have their information taken by police personnel for the filing of charges once the Luzon-wide quarantine measure is lifted.

Eleazar noted the police have apprehended 42,826 curfew violators from March 17 to March 27; 12,094 of which were from Metro Manila.

“Just imagine if, shall we say a quarter of these violators are already virus carriers, they will not only endanger the health and the lives of our policemen and other people manning the quarantine control points but also the health workers and other frontliners who are exempted from the quarantine,” Eleazar said.

Instead, the filing of charges against curfew violators will be through e-inquest as recommended by the Department of Justice (DOJ).

Eleazar said “DOJ has already issued general rules on procedures for the conduct of e-inquest to the government prosecutors across the country.”