Violators of enhanced community quarantine may be arrested for disobedience: Guevarra

March 17, 2020

Violators of the enhanced community quarantine imposed by the government on Monday to control the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) may be arrested and penalized, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Tuesday.

“Considering the gravity of the situation, our police and law enforcement agents may effect arrest under various laws,” Guevarra said in a text message sent to reporters.

Guevarra, a member of the Inter-Agency Task Force, stressed that the government will use applicable laws in enforcing the quarantine, such as Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code which penalizes resistance or disobedience to persons in authority.

According to him, violators of this penal law face arresto mayor or jail of up to six months, and fine not exceeding P100,000.

Republic Act 11332 or Act Providing Policies and Prescribing Procedures on Surveillance and Response to Notifiable Diseases, Epidemics, and Health Events of Public Health Concern may also be invoked by law enforcers and violators may be imprisoned of not more than six months and meted a fine of not more than P50,000.

“These will come into play if there is serious resistance or disobedience to our law enforcers,” said Guevarra.

“So I plead with everyone to just simply give your cooperation. This is something that is temporary, this is for the good of us, the police officers supported by the armed forces are not the enemy, they are not there to harass us but to protect us,” Guevarra said. DMS