CAMP COL. RAFAEL C. RODRIGUEZ, Butuan City – The Caraga Police Regional Office 13 (PRO 13) reported on Thursday that 2,300 quarantine violators were already apprehended in the five provinces and six cities of Northeastern Mindanao or Caraga region.
PRO 13 Regional Director Brig. Gen. Joselito T. Esquivel, Jr. said the violators were apprehended by the PNP Caraga since the implementation of the Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) from July 1, 2020 until August 12, 2020 region wide.
Caraga’s top cop also said that out of the total number of violators, 93 were apprehended for violating curfew hours and 2,207 for disobedience to a person and/or agents of person in authority.
He said 44 of the arrested persons were fined, 36 have undergone inquest proceedings, while 2,220 are already facing charges for committing violation such as direct assault to an agent or person of authority and habitual offenders in the standard safety health protocol for non-wearing of face mask, no back ride policy, and liquor ban violations.
Esquivel said the increase in the number of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases could be attributed to the rising number of people defying the standard health protocols such as the wearing of face mask and observing physical distancing.
The region’s top police official urged the public to strictly abide by the health protocol to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
“We continue to call on the public for cooperation as this war against the coronavirus will be far from over if the public remains uncooperative with the authorities,” he added.
To date, Caraga region’s COVID-19 confirmed cases now total 372 with 269 (72%) recoveries that have been discharged and released, leaving a total of 102 active cases.