Over 2,800 broke curfew in NCR Plus amid ECQ —PNP

The Philippine National Police (PNP) said 2,807 people broke the curfew in the National Capital Region and four adjacent provinces on Monday, the first day of reimposition of enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

In a report issued on Tuesday, the National Capital Region recorded 1,894 curfew violations; Bulacan, 84; Cavite, 253; Laguna, 371; and Rizal, 205.

Most of them were only warned and fined, according to the PNP.

Curfew is from 6 p.m to 5 a.m. in Metro Manila, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna and Rizal — called NCR Plus — starting Monday, March 29, amid the ECQ, to last until April 4.

In Bulacan, 79 motorists from outside the NCR Plus bubble—composed of NCR, Bulacan, Cavite, Laguna, and Rizal—were denied entry. Only those on essential travel are allowed to enter or leave the bubble. No details were available yet regarding other areas. 

At least 84 people who claimed to be authorized persons outside residence (APOR) or essential workers failed to present proof such as an ID, certificate of employment, business permit, among others.

According to the PNP, around 57% or 1,591,988 of motorists in NCR were still on the road amid the stricter restriction on movement. Around 39% or 36,460 of public utility vehicles were also observed to be plying the roads during ECQ.

In Metro Manila, the police said heavy traffic will be experienced particularly in northern borders.

At least 124,584 APORs and 2,516 non-APORs were roaming outdoors, the PNP said.

Many APORs were walking along the streets due to the limited and strict public transport guidelines, police said. Non-APORs meanwhile were given warning.

More locally stranded APORs are expected during the canceled operations of Metro Rail Transit, Light Rail Transit and Philippine National Railways starting Tuesday, March 30, until April 4, the police said.

Other regions

In Calabarzon, Police Regional Office 4A reported that residents were not fully following the minimum health standards such as wearing of face mask and face shields properly and observing social distancing in places of convergence.

According to the police, there was a low level of cooperation from local government units in ECQ implementation.

They also encountered children below 18 years old who were going out with their parents despite the prohibition.

In Central Luzon, the Police Regional Office 3 said there was confusion among communities located mostly in border areas where different quarantine classifications were being implemented.

The police said the issue could be addressed through information dissemination. —Joviland Rita/KG/RSJ, GMA News