Authorities issue 71 tickets vs traffic, quarantine violators in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines — Authorities have issued 71 official violation receipts (OVRs) and Land Transportation Office temporary operator’s permit (TOP) against road traffic and quarantine violators who were caught along major Metro Manila highways during the enforced enhanced community quarantine.

The latest data from the Philippine National Police — Highway Patrol Group (PNP-HPG) on Thursday showed that of the 71 tickets, issued against violators on Wednesday were 36 TOPs and 35 OVRs.

In an interview with dzBB, PNP spokesman Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said the issued tickets have corresponding fines ranging from P700 to P1,000.

Previously, the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging and Infectious Disease said the PNP-HPG and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) will be inspecting private vehicles to check if the passengers and drivers are included in the list of Authorized Persons Outside of Residence and are allowed to go out of their residences during the quarantine.

The inspection was ordered by the government after it had noticed an increase in the number of vehicles on Edsa and on other major thoroughfares in Metro Manila.

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the enforcement of a Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine. The quarantine was supposed to end on April 12 but was extended until April 30.

Under the ongoing quarantine, all public transport services are suspended and strict home quarantine protocols are being enforced.

Work for the majority of residents was also suspended except for businesses offering essential services such as the production of food, medicine, health, banks, finance, public utilities, and mass media.

/MUF