Olivarez directs law enforcers to file charges against 123 quarantine violators

From news.mb.com.ph by Jean Fernando:

A visibly irked Parañaque City Mayor Edwin Olivarez urged city law enforcers to immediately file appropriate charges against more than 100 residents of two populated streets in Barangay Dionisio who were arrested during the three-day calibrated lockdown.

Olivarez was informed by Parañaque PNP Chief Police Col. Robin King Sarmiento that operatives arrested a total 123 quarantine violators who were detained in police holding center and subject to proper inquest proceedings.

Tramo I and Tramo II in Barangay San Dionisio were placed under the 89-hour hard lockdown at 6 a.m. last Thursday, until midnight of Saturday, as ordered by Olivarez, to prevent the further spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19).

As of Sunday, Barangay San Dionisio has a total of 119 cases of COVID-19 with 41 active cases and 76 recoveries while two fatalities.

On the other hand, there are about 780 confirmed COVID-19 cases in the entire city with 233 active cases, 498 recoveries, and 49 fatalities.

Olivarez also learned from frontliners assigned in the area that several residents are not afraid of the authorities who are in camouflage uniform and not obeying the health protocols imposed by the national government.

City health personnel also observed that the most of the arrested residents violated the lockdown rules in the streets. “Sari-sari stores are open and some residents are even buying beers and liquors even its already curfew.”

Authorities also apprehended several men who were found shirtless, not wearing face mask. Women and mothers were also caught outside their houses talking with their neighbors and friends.

According to Sarmiento, several residents does not care about the lockdown rules and health protocols. “Some residents even admitted that they are bored inside their shanties. Wala silang paki-alam kahit mahuli” (They don’t care even if they will be arrested), he said.

Sarmiento said that GCQ violators will be charged under the Bayanihan to Heal as One Act, Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, and Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, which carries penalties for the act of resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.