NCRPO: 16,442 people broke smoking ban from June 13 to July 13

The smoking ban ordinance saw the most number of violators from June 13 to July 13, the National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) has reported.

The nationwide smoking ban was signed by President Rodrigo Duterte in May last year, while its implementation started in July the same year.

READ: Nationwide smoking ban enforced; Malacañang urges public support

From June 13 to July 13, a total of 16,442 people violated the smoking ban, the NCRPO said. This is equal to 33.95 per cent of the total recorded violations of ordinances against smoking, drinking in public places, being half-naked in public places, violating curfew hours for minors, and others.

Police also arrested 11,655 for violating various unspecified ordinances. This is followed by minors violating curfew hours with 7,450 recorded cases; then by men arrested for being half naked in public at  7,176 cases. Police also arrested 5,761 persons for drinking in public.

The Eastern Police District (EPD) meanwhile reported the most number of ordinance violators at 22,440 out of the total 48,435 cases recorded for the entire NCRPO. Aside from the EPD, the NCRPO also includes the Northern Police District (NPD), Manila Police District (MPD), Southern Police District (SPD), and the Quezon City Police District (QCPD).

According to the NCRPO of those arrested, 29,170 were given warnings, while 13,745 were made to pay fines and 5,521 faced charges.   Kristine Macasiray/ INQUIRER.net intern  /muf