Manila detains 130 violators amid Sampaloc’s 48-hour ‘hard lockdown’

MANILA, Philippines — Following the imposition of a 48-hour “hard lockdown” in Sampaloc District, Manila City, on April 23, authorities have detained 130 violators as of Saturday noon, the Manila Public Information Office (MPIO) said.

Photo courtesy of the Manila Public Information Office

The violators were held at four covered courts serving as temporary detention centers, with the Barangay 420 covered court along Ramon Magsaysay Boulevard corner Lacson Avenue holding the most violators at 53.

Another 36 violators were at the Barangay 581 covered court on Manga Street, 32 at the Barangay 463 covered court along Padre Paredes Street, while nine were at the Barangay 424 covered court on Vicente Cruz Street.

The violators were caught along Lacson Avenue (48), near Gulod Police Community Precinct (44), at Uba (16), near Calabash (11), near España Boulevard (6), and Sibama (5), according to MPIO.

Since 8 p.m. Thursday, the whole Sampaloc District was placed under hard lockdown, which will end at 8 p.m. Saturday. The Manila city government has vowed to conduct aggressive, rapid coronavirus testing for at least 1,000 people during the hard lockdown period.

As of Friday, Manila has recorded 571 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 780 suspected cases. Sampaloc has the majority of the cases at 113.

President Rodrigo Duterte recently ordered the extension of the enhanced community quarantine currently placed over Metro Manila and several “high-risk” areas up to May 15.

KGA