80 persons held by police for violating ‘total lockdown’ in Manila barangay

MANILA, Philippines — Some 80 persons were held by the police for violating the “total lockdown” being enforced in Barangay (village) 20 in Tondo, Manila as of Wednesday morning.

Lt. Col. Magno Gallora Jr., commander of the Manila Police District Station 2, said the violators were held at the Tondo Sports Complex which is being used by the police as a temporary holding area for those found loitering outside their homes.

“They will be given lectures regarding the virus para matuto sila (so they will learn their lesson),” he said in a text message to INQUIRER.net.

He said they will be released from police custody at 6 p.m.

“Meron po silang kaso, direct filing na lang (They will face a case for direct filing),” he added.

The entire village was placed on lockdown as ordered by Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso after a Facebook video circulated showing around 100 residents of the village gathered for an amateur boxing match along a street in the area.

The mayor’s office also received reports of bingo games being held in the same barangay.

Such gatherings are prohibited under the enhanced community quarantine being enforced in Luzon as a measure against the further spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Under the village lockdown, around 41,000 residents of the barangay were prohibited from leaving their homes, except for healthcare workers and uniformed personnel “rendering frontline services, border controls, and other critical services.”

The lockdown took effect at 8 p.m. Tuesday and will be lifted after 24 hours at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, according to Moreno’s Executive Order No. 19.

As of 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Manila has already recorded 344 confirmed cases of the coronavirus disease. Of this number, 45 have died and 30 have recovered.

Another 492 are considered COVID-19 “suspects” and 81 are tagged “probable” cases.

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/MUF