249 curfew, 41 social distancing violations recorded in W. Visayas

By Jennifer P. Rendon and Glazyl Y. Masculino

Police recorded several violations relative to non-observance of curfew hours and social distancing with the enforcement of community quarantine in different parts of Western Visayas.

As of 11 a.m. on March 24, 2020, Police Regional Office (PRO-)6 records showed that Negros Occidental registered the most number of curfew hour violations at 92.

Antique recorded 39 violations, Iloilo province – 38, Bacolod City – 29; Iloilo City – 24, Aklan – 22; and Capiz with 5.

Negros Occidental province is the lone area that posted social distancing violations at 41.

Thirteen “unauthorized” persons were also flagged in Negros Occidental for leaving their homes while Iloilo province recorded one.

Negros Occidental also recorded two violations for mass gathering while Aklan has one.

Meanwhile, Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson, said 209 persons all over the region were denied entry/exit because of the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine.

More than half of whom, or 124 persons, were denied in Iloilo; 48 in Negros Occidental; 19 in Aklan; 11 in Guimaras; and 7 in Capiz.

Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, visited different quarantine control points (QCPs) in the region.

He repeatedly reminded policemen to take care of their health, as they battle a different enemy.

“It’s been a week since we started with the enhanced community quarantine in the whole region but this is just the beginning of a long and arduous battle,” Pamuspusan said.

The region’s top cop said that policemen have done good so far in maintaining the peace and order in the communities and in the QCPs.

However, “I have to ask that we would extend a little more sacrifice as there is a need to sustain these efforts,” he said.

Pamuspusan urged policemen to draw their strength and motivation from the expressed support and appreciation of the community in this time of crisis.

Meanwhile, the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) said 37 curfew violators were arrested from March 21 to 24.

Police Major Edison Garcia, Nocppo’s public information officer, said these individuals violated the curfew implemented by their respective local government units (LGUs).

Garcia said Cadiz has the most number of arrests in the province in the past four days.

A report from Nocppo indicated that 20 persons, including a minor, were arrested in Cadiz City. Most of the arrested violators were between 19 to 47 years old.

In E.B. Magalona town, six persons were arrested while three others were collared in San Enrique town for the said offense, police records showed.

Garcia said that violators were reprimanded and were brought home after they face the consequence of their actions.