NEARLY a thousand individuals were apprehended in Davao City for violating the curfew and liquor ban since these were reimposed.
Davao City Police Office (DCPO) spokesperson Captain Rose Aguilar said since the 7 p.m. to 5 a.m. curfew was reimposed in the city effective October 15, they were able to apprehend a total of 897 violators.
Meanwhile, for the 24-hour liquor ban, which was reimplemented on November 2, they were able to apprehend 41 violators.
Aguilar said most of those who were caught for curfew violations are those from within the communities.
She said police authorities are strictly monitoring all parts of the city, including the smallest barangays, where most violators were caught.
She added that some of those who were apprehended were spotted outside more than three meters away from their residences.
"Ang most reason ngano naa madakpan, kabalo sila nga naa'y curfew pero wala pa nila nasabtan nga pwede sila muatubang og complaint (Most of those who we were able to apprehend knew that there is an existing curfew, but they continue to defy it, thinking that they won't face complaints)," Aguilar said.
As for the liquor ban violators, the police official did not provide further details as to where these people were mostly caught. But during her previous interview, Aguilar said some of the liquor ban violators were caught drinking outside their residences, which is strictly prohibited.
Aguilar said DCPO continues to adhere to the city order, where only curfew-exempted workers, and essential travels will be allowed during curfew.
Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio issued separate executive orders for the reimposition of the curfew and the liquor ban following the increase of Covid-19 cases in the city.
The mayor said the city is firm on imposing the curfew due to the continuing rise of Covid-19 cases brought about by several factors, such as mass gatherings and other "extracurricular" activities that contributed to the widespread transmission of the virus.
Davao City Public Safety and Security Command Center (PSSCC) head Angel Sumagaysay said in a recent VoxPop Davao report that the city will be stricter at checkpoints to ensure that those who will be on the streets during curfew hours are only those exempted by the city government.
Sumagaysay issued a memorandum on October 23 to DCPO, ordering for tighter measures imposed at checkpoints as some workers might be taking advantage of the exemptions granted to them by the city.
Curfew-exempted workers, he said, are reminded to bring their valid company ID or other documents, to be presented during checkpoints.
Meanwhile, the Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) and the Barangay Council will continue to conduct vigorous surveillance of all restaurants, fast food, sari-sari stores, and similar establishments who will be caught selling liquor and other alcoholic beverages in the duration of the liquor ban, which will end on December 31.
The city will impose a "One-Strike Policy" where erring establishments will be immediately closed if proven violating the liquor ban even for just once.
