BCPO nabs 19,408 COVID-19 protocol violators

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – A total of 19,408 individuals were arrested for violating the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) health protocols here from January 1 to May 31, 2021.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Lester Leada, head of Operations Management Unit of the Bacolod City Police Office (BCPO), said that 6,536 were caught not wearing face masks, and 4,726 were caught not wearing face shields, particularly when riding public utility vehicles.

Aside from that, 4,644 individuals were also apprehended for violating the curfew ordinance, and 1,799 for violating the liquor ban.

Around 1,703 persons were added to the number of violators for failing to comply with the one-meter physical distancing requirement.

Leada said the violators were not taken into custody but were given citation tickets and warned, as their detention facilities are already full.

From May 17 to May 30, the BCPO has issued 2,305 citation tickets to protocol violators here.

Moreover, the BCPO continues to raise awareness among grassroots constituents here regarding the risk of getting infected with COVID-19.

For the past weeks, the BCPO has conducted 634 ricoridas (public announcements) as part of the education campaign.

From May 17 to May 30, the BCPO also conducted 482 random checkpoints.

The BCPO is urging the public to abide by minimum health protocols to avoid getting fined or being made to do community service.

Those caught violating the health protocols are fined P200 each if they are from Bacolod, and P300 for those from out of-town, based on the city ordinance.