CALOOCAN CITY, July 15 (PIA) –The Quezon City government issued guidelines on intensified enforcement of health and safety protocols being implemented to combat the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

In a memorandum issued by Mayor Joy Belmonte, guidelines were set for concerned offices of the city government, the Quezon City Police District and the barangays pertaining the conduct of arrest against violators of quarantine measures during General Community Quarantine (GCQ) and Modified General Community Quarantine (MGCQ).

It also contains proper and lawful procedures in the disposition of the said arrests as covered by Rule 113, Section 5 (a) and (b) of the Revised Rules of Criminal Procedure.

Under the memorandum, arrests can be made by a peace officer or a private individual, while the person to be arrested has committed, is actually committing, or is attempting to commit a violation of health-related ordinances on limited gatherings, social distancing, and mandatory wearing of face masks in public places, among others.

An arrest can also be carried out when an offense has just been committed, and the arresting officer has probable cause to believe, based on personal knowledge of facts or circumstances, that the person to be arrested has committed it.

After booking procedures in the nearest police station, arrested violators will be brought to the nearest government hospital or city-run hospital for medical and physical examinations before proceeding to a proper investigation.

The memorandum was addressed to all barangay chairmen, district director and police station commanders of the Quezon City Police District (QCPD) and chairman and members of the Quezon City Incident Command System–Law and Order Cluster.

The mayor ordered heads of the Barangay and Community Relations Department (BCRD), Social Services and Development Department (SSDD), Quezon City Health Department (QCHD), directors of the Quezon City General Hospital, Novaliches District Hospital and Rosario Maclang Bautista General Hospital and the officer in charge of the Public Affairs and Information Services Department (PAISD) to strictly implement the memorandum.

Belmonte said a marked increase in COVID-19 cases has been observed in Quezon City following the successive downgrading of community quarantine classifications covering the National Capital Region (NCR).

“Hence, there is a need to implement heightened enforcement of quarantine measures to prevent a more serious problem that may arise if we let the people disregard the protocols set by the government,” Belmonte said. (QC PAISD/PIA-NCR)