1,200 arrested in Central Luzon for breaking COVID-19 curfew

By Franco Regala

CAMP OLIVAS, Pampanga — More than 1,000 residents have been arrested in Central Luzon for violating curfew aimed at controlling the spread of coronavirus, Regional Police Office 3 (PRO3) said Wednesday.

PRO 3 Director Police Brig. General Rhodel O. Sermoni said the 1,200 violators have been arrested across the region since the strict implementation of the enhanced community quarantine in Central Luzon since the curfew came into effect on March 17.

Local government units have been imposing curfew of 8 p.m. to 5 .m. force the public to stay in their homes until April 12 and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The Central Luzon police chief personally inspected all enhanced community quarantine control points to ensure the strict implementation was being carried out.

The violators were taken to the police stations where they were assessed fines as penalty for violating the curfew hours and were advised to go home.

The police regional chief continued to appeal for public cooperation and encourage them to stay at home if they have no business going outside.

“We are doing all we can to protect everyone but we also need your cooperation to protect each other to fight the virus,” he added.