Over 327,000 violators accosted during NCR MECQ —PNP

The Philippine National Police on Thursday said a total of 327,651 violators were accosted in Metro Manila during the implementation of modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) from August 21 to September 15.

In a statement, the PNP said 224,626 of those accosted violated the minimum public health safety standards; 87,729 violated the curfew, and 15,296 were unauthorized persons who went out of their homes.

An average of 12,602 violators are reported daily, according to the PNP.

PNP chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar reminded the public to observe health protocols to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

“We in the PNP believe that all our sacrifices for more than a year will be for nothing if we continue disregarding all the measures,” he said.

On Tuesday, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said NCR will be under Alert Level 4 starting Thursday, September 16, as part of the pilot testing of the implementation of the new alert system.

Areas under Alert Level 4 — the second highest alert level in the new scheme — are those with infections that are high or increasing while total beds and ICU beds are at high utilization rate.

The PNP appealed to the public for their cooperation and understanding the implementation of the new quarantine measures.

Those who are not allowed outside their residences under Alert Level 4 are:

• persons below 18 years old
• those who are over 65 years of age
• those with immunodeficiencies, comorbidities, or other health risks
• pregnant women

These individuals will only be allowed to go out to access or obtain essential goods and services, or for work in permitted industries and offices.

Under Alert Level 4, intrazonal and interzonal travel for persons not otherwise required to remain at their residences may be allowed subject to the reasonable regulations of the local government of destination. —Joviland Rita/KBK, GMA News