LUCENA CITY –– At least 161 individuals were taken into custody for violations of health and safety protocols to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Cavite province over the last two days, the police said.
Colonel Marlon Santos, Cavite police chief, said in a report on Thursday afternoon, that the COVID-19 protocol violators were found either not wearing face masks or violating curfew, and were arrested between Feb. 3 and 4.
The violators were documented and would face charges, he said.
As of Feb. 2, Cavite recorded 19,728 COVID-19 cases, 18,087 recoveries, and 553 fatalities. The province still has 1,088 active virus carriers.
Police said 25 suspects were also arrested in 16 buy-bust operations that led to the confiscation of 84 plastic sachets of shabu (crystal meth) and seven sachets of dried marijuana leaves, drug-using items and cash believed to be from the sale of illegal drugs.
The report posted by the Cavite police public information office on its Facebook page did not mention the estimated value of the seized drugs.
The police also collared eight wanted criminals, 12 illegal gamblers, an illegal firearm holder, and six other suspects in various crimes.
“The Cavite PNP ensures the public that the campaign against all forms of illegal activities will continue and (COVID-19) minimum health protocols will be strictly implemented,” Santos vowed.