PNP: Over 69k individuals nationwide violate quarantine rules

MANILA, Philippines — Over 69,000 individuals have been found to have violated the rules and guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine, including the curfew, which was put in place by the government for over two weeks now.

A total of 69,989 violators were recorded across the country from March 17 to 29, of which 39,940 were from Luzon while 30,149 were from the Visayas and Mindanao.

This is according to the data provided by PNP Deputy Chief for Operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, who is the commander of the Joint Task Force CoronaVirus Shield, on Monday.

Of the violators, 17,039 were arrested while 3,777 were fined. A total of 48,273 were only given warnings by authorities.

The entire island of Luzon was placed under enhanced community quarantine which would last until April 14 in a bid to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in the country.

Other provinces in the Visayas and Mindanao were also placed under enhanced community quarantine due to the COVID-19 threat.

Police have also apprehended 6,837 public utility vehicles who disobeyed the quarantine guidelines. Meanwhile, 593 individuals were arrested for hoarding, profiteering, and manipulation of prices amid the COVID-19 lockdown.