‘Quarantine violators could face penalties and charges’ - DILG Kalinga

With individuals simply ignoring health protocols designed to control the COVID-19 pandemic, the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) in Kalinga Province warns individuals violating safety protocols that charges could be filed against them.

The warning came after several individuals in the province are ignoring quarantine measures, especially with the easing of restrictions.

Those belonging to the vulnerable sector are seen freely roaming the streets along with children despite advisories that persons with comorbidities, senior citizens, and children are prohibited to go out from their residences unless necessary.

Wearing of masks and social distancing are also being grossly disregarded by some individuals, while social gatherings became normalized evident on several social media posts.

Tourists were also observed to come and go, notwithstanding the declaration that tourism in the province is still banned.

DILG Kalinga said the failure of the public to comprehend the importance of imposed Health Safety protocols is hampering the effective enforcement of quarantine measures in communities.

With the COVID-19 variant of concern being detected in neighboring provinces of Kalinga, Governor Ferdinand Tubban issued Executive Order (EO) on August 17, 2021, providing the guidelines for the imposition of Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ) “with heightened restrictions considering the threat of COVID-19 variants of concern in the province.”

Section 3 of said EO provided the penalties against violators, stating that they could be subjected to administrative sanctions.

Anyone caught violating quarantine measures, as stated, may be charged for reckless imprudence, explained Department of the Interior Local Government Provincial Director Max Mayer Adong.

“Nu anya man ti penalty nga appropriate ken isuda… nu nag-violate ka, mabalin daka nga idarum met laeng or file-an ti case base on existing laws, under reckless imprudence idiay Revised Penal code, nu anya man liability idiay. So dagiay iti usaren iti dayta ni provision na,” Adong said.

Reckless imprudence is a crime punishable under Article 365 of the Revised Penal Code of the Philippines, as amended by Republic Act 10951.

“(It) does not mean a panggep laeng ti accidents ti reckless imprudence. So it will also be considered as reckless imprudence, for example, diay tao nga infected a mapan pay laeng kadagiay public places. Those are considered as reckless imprudence under revised penal code,” Adong clarified.

He likewise reminded that individuals found violating such provisions may also face penalties indicated in Bayanihan to Heal as One Act.

“Adda met laeng daytoy violation iti Republic Act No. 11494, Bayanihan Act 2, mabasa idiay dagiay dadduma a violations. Idiay da met laeng nga i-biruk idiay (ti charges),” he disclosed.

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