Covid violators to be detained: DILG, DOJ to LGUs: Set strict rules or face sanctions

BAGUIO CITY—The Departments of Interior and Local Government (DILG), Justice (DOJ) and Philippine National Police (PNP) have issued a memo requiring local government units to implement stricter health protocols or face sanctions. 

“Under the guidelines of joint memorandum circular 2021-001, local government units are required to identify and designate appropriate places that will serve as holding areas for persons cited for violations and holding areas shall accommodate as many persons as possible, without crowding and/or violation of social distancing protocols,” said  Araceli San Jose, OIC regional director of DILG Cordillera.

She said the DILG is urging participation of barangay officials in implementing minimum public health standards and precautions such as wearing of face masks, maintenance of social distancing protocols and compliance with curfew hours.
“Government officials who fail to implement and enforce all applicable, laws, policies and guidelines will be held accountable for violation of the Local Government Code and the Revised Penal Code,” she said.

Meanwhile, she added, the PNP should assist LGUs in the strict enforcement of all directives, laws, and ordinances particularly all applicable minimum public health standards and precautions such as the wearing of face masks, maintenance of social distancing protocols, and compliance with curfew hours.

“To avoid overcrowding and the transmission of Covid-19, the PNP should also establish holding areas where violators of health and safety standards will be brought in, and they shall not be placed with detainees in jails,” she said.

For the DOJ, in cases of warrantless arrest of persons for violations of health and safety ordinances, and  quarantine and other related violations, the inquest prosecutor will conduct inquest proceedings, either virtually by way of e-inquest or physically by way of traditional face-to-face.

The inquest prosecutor must determine the validity of the warrantless arrest, as well as the applicable violations of health and safety ordinances, and quarantine and other related violations.

The city or provincial prosecutor must ensure the issuance or release of the approved resolution or information at the earliest opportunity to avoid the unnecessary congestion in jails and detention centers, San Jose said.