LUCENA CITY –– Authorities arrested 600 alleged violators in Quezon province of President Duterte’s enhanced community quarantine order for Luzon meant to stop the transmission of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
The violators were nabbed in different localities in the province from March 17 to April 16, Colonel Audie Madrideo, Quezon police chief, said in a report Friday.
Local governments in Quezon have been implementing curfew hours from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. During the day, only those with quarantine pass are allowed to buy food, medicine, and other essentials.
At least 332 of those arrested were charged with violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, which “punishes resistance and disobedience to a person in authority or the agents of such person.”
The report said 177 suspects were slapped with violations of the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.
The law penalizes failure to report diseases or protect Filipinos from public health threats.
The others arrested were facing charges that included direct assault, alarm and scandal, grave threats, unjust vexation, disobedience of orders, price gouging, and other crimes.