Calabarzon top cop: Observe ‘maximum tolerance’ with COVID-19 protocol violators

LUCENA CITY –– The Calabarzon police chief has appealed to authorities to observe maximum tolerance in implementing community quarantine protocols.

“Let us all stay calm and always observe maximum tolerance against quarantine protocol violators,” Brigadier General Felipe Natividad, Police Regional Office 4A director, said in a statement.

He also asked the public to cooperate and follow all safety protocols imposed by the government.

“Let us unite to end this pandemic. We deal as one. We seal as one. We heal as one,” Natividad said.

Colonel Serafin Petalio II, Laguna police chief, also appealed to police and barangay tanods in the province not to lose their patience in accosting quarantine violators.

“And always respect human rights,” Petalio said in a text message.

Last week, Ernanie Jimenez, 26, died after village watchmen allegedly severely beat him in Barangay Turbina in Calamba City when they caught him outside his house during curfew.

Jimenez’s death followed that of Darren Peñaredondo, who died of a stroke the day after General Trias town police in Cavite asked him and other quarantine violators to do 300 rounds of strenuous pumping exercises akin to squats.

On Monday, Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Debold Sinas ordered policemen to stop arresting COVID-19 protocol violators.

Sinas just wanted to warn the violators and remind them of the need to follow all health and safety protocols to prevent the virus from spreading, PNP spokesperson Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana explained.

Usana maintained that the penalties against violators should be settled at the barangay level.

LZB