Manila records more than 2,000 violations in first 2 days of curfew

More than 2,000 individuals in Manila violated curfew in the first two days of its implementation throughout the National Capital Region, the city government said Wednesday.

Data from the Manila Public Information Office showed that 1,139 curfew violators were recorded as of 5 a.m. on March 16. Of the number, 926 are adults while 213 are minors.

Meanwhile, 1,023 violators of the curfew ordinance were documented as of 5 a.m. on March 17. This includes 112 minors and 911 adults.

In a livestreamed report, Manila Mayor Isko Moreno said those who breach the curfew will be penalized by having to do exercises instead of being jailed.

“Dahil ayaw niyo matulog sa takdang oras, gigisingin naming ang inyong diwa hanggang alas singko nang umaga… Ayan po mga kabababayan, binigyan natin sila ng makabuluhang pamamaraaan upang lumusog ang kanilang katawan,” said Moreno.

(Since you don’t want to sleep at the right time, you will stay awake until 5 a.m. Let's give them a better way to keep healthy.)

Moreno also posted a video on his official Facebook page, showing some curfew violators conducting physical exercises while wearing face masks.

Manila is imposing another curfew for minors, which is from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. This is different from the unified curfew in Metro Manila curfew for adults aged 18 years old and above, set from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m.

On Wednesday, the capital city reported a total of 31,932 confirmed COVID-19 cases, including 2,102 active cases, 28,993 recoveries and 837 deaths. — Consuelo Marquez/BM, GMA News