12 tourists in Zambales held for breaching COVID-19 health protocols; 1 tests positive

Mt. Tapulao, the highest peak in Palauig town, Zambales province, had been attracting trekkers before the pandemic. On Sunday, police arrested 12 tourists for roaming the area and for having no health documents. Leisure activities are prohibited in the province, which remains on modified general community quarantine. Photo courtesy of Palauig tourism office

SAN ANTONIO, Zambales –– Twelve people were arrested in Palauig town for allegedly violating the guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) when they were caught near a known trekking site, police said on Monday, March 29.

Col. Romano Cardiño, acting police provincial director, said lawmen responded to a report that a group of tourists was roaming around Mt. Tapulao, the highest peak in the province, on Sunday, March 28.

Police then discovered that the tourists onboard a Nissan Grandia failed to present medical documents as part of IATF protocols when they were flagged down.

The 12 individuals were subjected to swab tests, and one of them had tested positive for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), Cardiño said.

This forced authorities to place the tourists in quarantine.

“Time and again, I appeal to the public to stay at home if there is no need to go outside. Your police are duty-bound to enforce the law, and we will not hesitate to arrest those who break the law,” said Brig. Gen. Valeriano De Leon, police Central Luzon director, in a statement.

LZB