The Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) arrested a total of 959 violators of the ordinances under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) during its ‘one time, big time’ operation on Tuesday, April 28.

Col. Paul Kenneth Lucas, IPPO director, said the operation proved that the police are not relaxing against erring individuals continuing to defy health protocols against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“Our police patrolled the areas where these violators are located. In the past, the police just warned these erring individuals who do not wear masks or do not observe social distancing. But yesterday, we really arrested the violators so that they will not violate again,” he said.

Lucas said 565 of the arrested violated the Face Mask Ordinance of Iloilo.

“There were fined with P1,000, as stated in the ordinance,” he said.

He noted that Lambunao town, which has COVID-19 cases recorded, has the most number of violators of the face mask ordinance with 51.

“It just happened that maybe, the violators in this town were gathered in a single place that is why many were arrested. They still do not follow the right thing that we tell them to do,” he said.

Meanwhile, 256 were nabbed for not following the province’s social distancing ordinance.

Passi City has the most number of social distancing protocol violators with 68, Lucas said.

The Iloilo’s provincial ordinance on social distancing can penalize the customers of establishments and even owners of establishments that do not keep space between people.

Aside from not wearing of face masks and not observing social distance, the IPPO also collared 94 violators of the Executive Order 080 of Iloilo Governor Arthur Defensor Jr.; 26 were arrested for traveling without quarantine pass; 15 for violating the 4 a.m. to 9 p.m. curfew; two for loitering; and one for violating the liquor ban. The arrested individuals were brought to their respective municipal police stations.

“They were fined based on the provisions of the ordinance that they violated. All of the violators have paid their fines and we warn that the next time they defy again, they will pay the fine and can be detained,” he said.

Lucas said the IPPO will conduct the “one time, big time” operation again in the future if people in the province will not abide after a single warning from law enforcers.

The IPPO director said the violators should take note that the ECQ will be extended until May 15.

“If we don’t want any more extensions, we should follow the ordinances,” he said.Gail Momblan/PNA

Photo by Lambunao MPS