Curfew violators will no longer be held, says PNP

The Philippine National Police said Saturday that violators of curfew imposed by local government units (LGUs) during the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine will no longer be apprehended and held in custody.

“Sa recommendation ng Department of Justice Secretary na aming sinang-ayunan, nagbigay ng utos ang chief PNP na lahat ng curfew violations ngayon, hindi na po ikukulong,” PNP deputy chief for operations Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said during the Laging Handa public briefing.

Violators, however, will be slapped with fines and penalties after the Luzon-wide lockdown.

“Kukunin ang circumstances at ipa-file na lang namin [ang kaso],” Eleazar said.

“At large po ‘yung mga ‘yan para pagkatapos ng krisis na ito saka natin pananagutin ‘yun at depende rin sa mga multa at penalties na nakasaaad sa ordinansa ng curfew,” he said.

The PNP, meanwhile, is investigating reports of physical punishments against violators.

“Merong ibang kaparusahang ginagawa yung iba pero patuloy na pinagsasabihan natin ‘yung ating commanders on the ground na wala dapat na mangyaring physical punishment na pinabibigay sa kanila. Hindi dapat binibilad, hindi dapat pinapalo. ‘Yan ang aming iniimbestigahan,” Eleazar said. —Ted Cordero/LBG, GMA News