Over 2,000 quarantine violators held in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY –– Police rounded up over 2,000 violators of the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) across the Bicol region from March 17 to April 27, Bicol police reported Thursday.

Brigadier General Anthony Alcañeses, Bicol police chief, said the arrests were the result of an intensified enforcement of the ECQ. The campaign led to the arrest of 2,114 violators.

A breakdown of the number revealed that 914 were apprehended for violating curfew hours, 1,184 for disobedience, and 16 for overpricing of medical supplies and other essential goods.

For the violation of the curfew hours, Catanduanes has the highest number of arrested persons with 560, followed by Camarines Sur with 124, Sorsogon with 58, Albay with 56, Camarines Norte with 49,  Naga City with 40, and Masbate with 27.

Meanwhile, under disobedience, Catanduanes also recorded the highest number of arrests with 552, followed by Sorsogon with 208, Camarines Sur with 141, Masbate with 110, Albay with 105, Naga City with 44, and Camarines Norte with 24.

Under hoarding, profiteering, and overpricing of medical supplies and essential goods and items, police have arrested 16 violators with five cases filed in court.

LZB