Smokers top 177,000 nabbed

Violators of smoking ban in public places represent the bulk of over 177,00 individuals arrested in the past two months in Metro Manila for violation of various city ordinances.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Director Guillermo Eleazar on Sunday disclosed a total of 177,929 were nabbed for disobeying local ordinances from 13 June to 26 August.

Out of the total, around 35 percent or 63,093 individuals were accosted for smoking in public places.

Last June, President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police to go after violators of city laws, particularly the ordinance against loitering.

Eleazar on Sunday disclosed a total of 177,929 were nabbed for disobeying local ordinances from 13 June to 26 August.

But Eleazar said only 22 of those arrested were jailed. The majority or 122,344 were simply given verbal reprimand, 35,668 were fined and 19,917 slapped with various complaints.

Majority of the arrests, or 75,610, occurred in Quezon City.

Controversy swirled around the police campaign against loiterers following the death of Genesis “Tisoy” Agoncillo, who was detained for violation of a city ordinance.

However, Agoncillo’s family claimed he was beaten to death.

The Quezon City Police denied the allegation and claimed Agoncillo’s death may be due to suffocation but decided to relieve nine officers from their posts over the incident.