DILG, DOJ finalizing joint guidelines on arrest of mask violators — Guevarra

The Justice and Interior departments will issue on Friday the joint guidelines on the arrest and detention of violators of COVID-19 safety measures, particularly those who do not wear face masks or not wearing them properly.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said Interior Secretary Eduardo Año had agreed “in principle” to approve the guidelines as drafted by the Department of Justice. 

“Subject to a few minor tweaks, these guidelines will be ready for signing by Friday,” Guevarra said in a message to reporters.

Early this month, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police to investigate and detain for nine hours

This prompted the Justice and Interior departments to craft guidelines.

“Nothing really special, maybe just determining the manner, time or place of booking, detention, and investigation to avoid overcrowding and avoid the very evil sought to be prevented,” Guevarra earlier said.

Malacañang earlier said a violator must be apprehended before implementing the corresponding penalty.

“We have ordinances on minimum health protocols that allow the outright apprehension [or] warrantless arrest if a crime was committed in the presence and with the full personal knowledge of the police officer," presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said on May 6.  —KBK, GMA News