Quarantine violators in Navotas City allegedly have 'Amin Laya' option

Navotas City Police have given quarantine violators a condition before they are set free called "Amin-Laya," in which they will admit that they violated protocols then they confined for 10 days in exchange for their freedom.

In a 24 Oras report by Mark Salazar on Friday,  some residents were seen waiting outside the Navotas Sports Complex for their locked up relatives, as they were told quarantine violators were all set to go home from the detention facility.

"'Amin-Laya' po na mabuno lang 'yung 10 days. Eh 'yung pinsan ko abot na po ng 14 days," sa woman said.

It was police personnel who allegedly told them of the "Amin-Laya" concept.

The Navotas City Police, however, said it is Mayor Toby Tiangco who will answer regarding matters of the enhanced community quarantine.

"Ang alam kong ginagawa ng court is kapag naka-31 days na sila, pinapalaya na sila because the period of imprisonment of the violation of Article 151 is one month and one day to six years. So since na-serve na nila ang one month and one day, nire-release na sila ng court. Wala akong alam na 'Amin-Laya,'" Tiangco said.

The 'Amin-Laya' is supposed to favor those without means to post bail, as they opt to finish the 10-day confinement despite the unfavorable punishment.

"Nag-lockdown kami ng Sunday and Monday, eh lumabas siya ng Monday, nadampot po siya. May pagkakamali naman 'yung asawa namin, tatanggapin na lang namin, ang importante lang po makalabas lang ang asawa namin," said a wife of a quarantine violator.

A man went to the Navotas Metropolitan Court to inquire about the Amin-Laya policy for his wife who was caught by authorities, but there was no response.

"Bumili lang po ng sibuyas, kamatis lang. Dapat binigyan ng pagkakataon 'yung tao. Wala tayong magagawa kundi sumunod na lang po," the man said.

A total of 1,726 violators were arrested in Navotas during the ECQ.

Navotas City is now under MECQ, though the local government still preferred to be under the ECQ.

"Ang sinasabi nila is hindi puwedeng ECQ ang buong Navotas, Pinayagan lang nila ang sampung barangay. MECQ kami but simula mamayang gabi, ginagawa ko na ang executive order. Simula mamayang gabi, magiging ECQ ulit ang sampung barangay," Tiangco said.

NNBS Dagat-dagatan, NBBS Kaunlaran, NBBS Proper, San Jose, NBB North, Sipac Almacen, Daanghari, Tangos North, Tangos South and San Roque were the barangays identified that would be under ECQ.  -- Jamil Santos/BAP, GMA News