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Violators of enhanced community quarantine may be arrested for disobedience —Justice Secretary


Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said violators of the enhanced community quarantine imposed by the government on Monday, March 16 to help contain the coronavirus disease may be arrested and penalized.

“Considering the gravity of the situation, our police and law enforcement agents may effect arrest under various laws,” Guevarra said in a news conference of the Inter-Agency Task Force late Monday.

The Justice Secretary said the government will use applicable laws in enforcing the quarantine, such as Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code relating to resistance or disobedience to persons in authority.

Guevarra said violators of this penal law face arresto mayor or jail time of up to six months, and fine not exceeding P100,000.

Republic Act 11332 or Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern may also be invoked by law enforcers and violators may be imprisoned of not more than six months and meted a fine of not more than P50,000.

“These will come into play pag talagang may serious resistance or disobedience to our law enforcers.  Please give your cooperation, . . . enforcers are not the enemy, they are not there to harass us but to protect us,” Guevarra said.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Ano said the purpose of the enhanced community quarantine is to “restrict movement of people to the maximum.”

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles added that the “general rule” during such period is for people to stay at home. —LDF, GMA News

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