The Muntinlupa Police has apprehended 305 people for violating city ordinances on curfew, mandatory wearing of face masks, and the use of quarantine passes since the modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) status was reimposed on Mega Manila on Aug. 4.
Several ordinances were passed and approved by the Muntinlupa City government for implementation during MECQ, which will last until Aug. 18.
To implement these, the Muntinlupa Police launched Oplan Galugad to apprehend violators of local laws.
As of Aug. 10, the police have apprehended 305 people, including six who were charged. Among them were 60 minors who were given stern warnings for their offense. Minors, or those below 18 in Muntinlupa, will lose their city scholarships on their second offense.
Of the total, 197 were caught for violating curfew, 78 for not wearing face masks, and 30 for having no quarantine passes.
Muntinlupa Public Information Office head Tez Navarro said members of the police, city security officers, and barangay police will continue to augment round-the-clock inspections to ensure that these health protocols and quarantine measures in public places and business establishments are strictly followed.
She said the stringent quarantine measures aim to limit movement of people in public places, which are hotspots for the transmission of coronavirus disease (COVID-19). She added that the public can report violations to the Philippine National Police and barangays.
Curfew in Muntinlupa is from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m. under MECQ, and wearing of face masks is required for people going out of their homes, entering buildings, and while in public places. For violating any of the two measures, penalties are P300, P500, and P1,000 for succeeding offenses, and for minor violators, a stern warning for the first offense, removal from city government scholarship or P300 for non-grantee for the second, and P500 for the third and subsequent offenses.
A liquor ban is also in effect under all levels of community quarantine in Muntinlupa and violators may face fines up to P2,000. Establishments caught selling alcoholic beverages will incur a P5,000 fine, suspension or revocation of business permits, and one-year imprisonment.
Quarantine pass holders need to present a government-issued ID for verification and can only buy essential goods from 6 a.m. to 12 noon. Establishments and homeowners associations are mandated to inspect the quarantine passes of persons entering or exiting their premises. Violators may face penalties of up to P1,000.
Mayor Jaime Fresnedi has asked the public to fully cooperate with the quarantine measures to curb the spread of COVID-19.
As of Aug. 9, Muntinlupa City has 1,984 confirmed COVID-19 cases including 1,169 recoveries and 89 reported deaths, leaving 726 active cases.