Two collared for violating quarantine protocols

By Glazyl Y. Masculino

BACOLOD City – Two persons were arrested for not following the 14-day quarantine protocol for persons under monitoring (PUMs) at Barangay Cayhagan, Sipalay City, Negros Occidental on Wednesday.

PUM is a person who has no signs and symptoms of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) but has travel history to infected areas and may have been exposed to infected persons.

First to be arrested was a 44-year-old man after he allegedly defamed a 61-year-old barangay health worker when he was sighted by the latter drinking a cup of coffee in a cafeteria, police records indicated.

The barangay health worker informed the suspect of his violation and advised him to stay at home as he is under a mandatory quarantine, but the latter allegedly got angry and berated her.

The suspect allegedly threw a ceramic mug filled with coffee at the health worker’s right foot.

A 29-year-old man was also arrested in the said village for violating the quarantine procedure after he was sighted roaming around the streets, police said.

Both suspects are detained at Sipalay City Police Station for filing of appropriate charges.

Meanwhile, nine persons were arrested for violating the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in the province amid the COVID-19 in the areas of Sipalay City, and towns of San Enrique, Calatrava, E.B. Magalona, and Pulupandan, a report from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office (Nocppo) said.

Some of them were caught not wearing face masks, going out without home quarantine passes, and few were caught drinking liquors and disobeying the ECQ protocols.

All suspects will be charged.