CITY OF SAN FERNANDO –– For not taking the threat of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) seriously, 11,230 Central Luzon residents were arrested for violating the enhanced community quarantine from March 17 to 31.
That was the first two weeks of the Luzon lockdown that required all residents to stay indoors until the second week of April.
The quarantine violators include 1,473 who were caught publicly intoxicated during the curfews, 3,450 who were caught smoking in restricted curfew areas, and 1,380 who were half-naked in public places.
The police also detained 3,276 minors, who broke curfew hours, and another 1,651 for related offenses such as disobedience at checkpoints, according to a report obtained from the regional police headquarters in Camp Olivas.
Because jails are congested, the violators were instead fined, held in covered courts, and made to render community service.
Nueva Ecija had the most violators at 4,933; Bulacan, 2,607; Tarlac, 1,513; Bataan, 314; Pampanga, 299; Zambales, 51, and Aurora, 1.
Among the cities, Angeles had 728 violators while Olongapo had 784.