PNP: Curfew violators won’t be arrested yet but hoarders will

THE Philippine National Police ( PNP) announced that it would not arrest, for now, violators of the curfew that has been imposed in Metro Manila and other parts of the country as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 or Covid- 19 pandemic.

LtGen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP deputy for operations, said, however, the offenders, whose names would be listed down, would be punished after the crisis.

“Hindiikukulong.I- file na lang namin after ng crisis na it osaka na lang nila pagbayaran‘ yun ( They will not be jailed. We will just file; they will face the punishment after this crisis),” Eleazar said in a press briefing on Saturday.

Eleazar also reiterated that everyone should pass through the checkpoints, even those with government- issued identification cards.

Local government units have their own curfew guidelines, Eleazar said.

Eleazar also reminded all commanders on the ground not to impose physical punishment on the violators of the enhanced community quarantine.

He said there would be an investigation into reports of police abuse in quarantine control points.

Local Government Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya reminded all villages to coordinate with the PNP when setting up checkpoints in their areas.

But while curfew violators are getting off lightly for now, hoarders are not.

Police arrested two people in Valenzuela City for alleged profiteering and hoarding of disinfectant and antiseptic alcohol estimated at P655,324, MGen. Debold Sinas, National Capital Region Police Office ( NCRPO) chief, reported on Saturday.

Sinas identified the suspects as Ricky Deliva Dacillo, 44, and Leonila Chua Collado, 40.

They were arrested in an entrapment operation by combined elements of the Regional Special Operations Group, NCRPO and Valenzuela City Police Station along Pacheco Village in Balubaran at 2: 40 p. m. on Friday.

The operation stemmed from the information that the suspects were engaged in the hoarding of disinfectant and antiseptic alcohol, Sinas said.

Sinas said verification from the Business Permit and Licensing Office in Valenzuela City revealed the suspects were not authorized to sell alcohol products.

Confiscated were 179 containers of 70 percent isopropyl alcohol worth P2,750 each for a total of P492,250.

Three drums containing 100 percent isopropyl alcohol worth P57,000 and 86 containers containing raw materials for manufacturing were also seized.

The suspects, together with the evidence, were brought to the Valenzuela police station investigation unit for proper disposition.

Charges for violation of Republic Act 7581 ( Hoarding and Profiteering) and Violation of RA 9711 ( Food and Drug Administration Act of 2009) will be filed against the suspects before the Valenzuela City Prosecutor’s Office.

“The NCRPO continues the drive against all forms of crimes. We are saddened how few of our citizens are taking advantage of the crisis we face instead of helping. I encourage the public to report immediately whenever there are related illegal activities observed, “Sinas said in a statement.