Roxas City uses scare tactics to instill quarantine rules

By Alex A. Lumaque

ROXAS CITY, Capiz – A replica of a coffin at the Roxas City Crisis Center (RCC) surprised violators of the curfew, mandatory wearing of face mask and social distancing ordinances after they were gathered for a lecture on the “new normal” protocols amid the COVID-19 crisis.

“You may end up inside if you will continue to violate health protocols,” according to a message in Hiligayon posted on the casket.

About 150 individuals were nabbed on May 3 and 4, majority of them are 20-year old and below, for failure to bring the Special Quarantine Pass when going out in public places.

The rule is stipulated in Executive Order No. 16, which puts the province under General Community Quarantine (GCQ) from May 1 to 15.

Reports by local radio stations said that persons without face mask were provided by the local government unit before they were sent home.

Aside from the provincial and city government’s mandatory wearing of face mask, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) through Memorandum Circular No. 2020 – 071 also required the wearing of face mask or other Personal Protective Equipment while in public places.

RCC officer-in-charge Lorelie Suelo said that the initiative aimed to inform violators the serious consequences of not wearing a face mask.

In a radio interview, she also appealed to the parent s of the violators to guide and keep their children amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Roxas City Communications Group head Melvin Galagate said that police authorities will not hesitate to arrest and discipline the violators especially that the operation is based on existing local ordinances.

First time violators will only get a lecture and warning, while succeeding offenses will involve fines or imprisonment or both. (PIA)