Law enforcers in Navotas City apprehended 1,411 quarantine violators, including minors in the first two days of lockdown despite the threat of heavier fines and continued warnings.
On July 16 alone, the first day of the lockdown, 1,243 adults and 79 minors were turned over to the Navotas City Police for documentation.
Another 89 individuals, including three minors were added to the list of violators on the second day, according to Mayor Toby Tiangco.
Tiangco said most of those arrested were caught either not properly wearing face masks, not observing physical distancing or not staying home despite the lockdown.
The violations continued despite heavier fines and penalties imposed by the city now on a two-week lockdown.
In Ordinance No. 2020-33, parents of the minors violating the ordinance will pay a fine of P1,000 on their first offense, P2,000 on their second offense, P3,000 or imprisonment on their third offense and P4,000 or imprisonment on the succeeding offense.
Businesses that fail to conduct screening of employees, implement social distancing, reduce the number of people allowed in their workplace, among others, will also "be slapped with P2,000 to P5,000 fine with summary suspension of sanitary permit and summary closure of establishment for 7-14 days," according to the local government.
Tiangco said he understands many residents have been affected by the lockdown.
"Ngunit kailangan din po nating unawain na kapag hindi po tayo naghigpit, patuloy na lolobo ang bilang ng mga mahahawaan at maaaring di na ito kakayanin ng ating health care system ," he added.
As of Friday, Navotas has 1,169 confirmed coronavirus disease (COVID-19) cases.