Panelo laments violations

Secretary Salvador Panelo on Monday rued that more than 20,000 individuals had been arrested, penalized, or warned on the first day of implementation last 6 August of hard lockdown in Metro Manila.

In his online program “Counterpoint,” the President’s chief legal counsel cited a report by the Joint Task Force Covid Shield that showed an apparent breakdown of discipline by those tagged.

Of the number, 5,781 violated curfew hours, while 14,775 failed to observe minimum public health standards, such as not wearing or improperly wearing masks and face shields, and failing to observe social distancing.

In Metro Manila, 4,394 were warned, fined, and released while 2,201 were asked to undergo community service due to curfew violations.

Panelo also disclosed that there were violators in adjacent provinces. Laguna reported 471 quarantine violators, while Cavite reported 530 with the same offense. Rizal recorded 370 and Bulacan reported six.