42 nabbed for breaking new Bulacan MECQ curfew

BALIWAG, Bulacan –– Forty-two people, including two Pampanga residents, were arrested in three Bulacan towns for violating a new curfew when it was first enforced on Wednesday, Aug. 12, as the province undergoes a modified enhanced community quarantine.

John Allec Manalili, 21, and Allan Bondoc, 31, both from the Pampanga town of San Luis, were detained at the Baliwag police station after they were caught riding a motorcycle at the intersection of Maharlika Highway at 9 p.m.

The two men intended to buy food at a fastfood store, which was closed because of the curfew that runs from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m., said Col. Jayson San Pedro, Baliwag police chief.

They ended up violating Provincial Ordinance No. 87-2020, which was one of the measures employed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

Bulacan is treating 1,130 cases, according to the Bulacan public health office on Thursday, Aug. 13.

Instead of making Manalili and Bondoc pay a fine or serve month-long jail time, the Baliwag government made them sweep the grass in front of a slaughterhouse as part of their community service, San Pedro said.

The other curfew breakers were recorded in the towns of Bustos and Norzagaray. Many were caught roaming the neighborhoods or were in local stores.

None of them were listed as authorized persons outside residence, or people allowed to work or sent out to buy food and medical supplies, said Col. Lawrence Cajipe, Bulacan police director.

The curfew hours would be adjusted to 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. once Bulacan is placed under a modified general community quarantine.

LZB