Police Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), ordered all police personnel in Cebu City to immediately arrest quarantine violators as part of the measure to contain the continuous rise of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) in the area.
This means that quarantine violators will no longer be warned and will immediately be placed under arrest and will be charged.
“That is our guidance because it is part of the requirement because COVID-19 cases in the area is really rising,” said Gamboa in a press briefing at Camp Crame on Monday.
Gamboa, however, was quick to clarify that only a few hardheaded people will be affected by his strict order, saying Cebuanos are generally law-abiding people.
“Majority follow the quarantine rules but there are some who are stubborn, so they will be arrested without warning,” said Gamboa.
Cebu City was reverted to Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) at least until June 30 based on the order of President Duterte due to the rise of COVID-19 cases.
In the PNP alone, there were 169 policemen assigned in Central Visayas who tested positive for coronavirus. A total of 694 cops are suspected COVID cases while 156 are probable cases.
“This is the reason why we had to deploy augmentation forces to Cebu. The PRO7 may have to adapt rotational deployment of its frontline personnel in lockdown areas, because its effective strength will be depleted when some personnel will need to undergo quarantine,” said Gamboa. (Aaron Recuenco)
