Face mask violators in Cebu may be arrested – Año

Police may detain those who breach the mandated use of face masks in Cebu, despite Governor Gwen Garcia’s executive order allowing the optional wearing of face masks in well-ventilated and open locations in the province, said Interior Secretary Eduardo Ao on Thursday.

In a radio interview, Año emphasized that the national government will continue to mandate the use of face masks in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic and that law enforcement will follow suit.

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“Ang ating kapulisan, patuloy na magko-confront at kung kailangan arestuhin sa matitigas ang ulo, gagawin ng Philippine National Police ‘yan,” he said.

“Nagko-konsulta tayo sa legal team sa next move natin para matigil ang ganitong practice na hindi naman talaga naaayon,” he added, highlighting the Cebu government’s violation of Executive Order No. 151, series of 2021 pertaining to the Nationwide Implementation of the Alert Level System for COVID-19 Response

(Our police will continue to confront violators, and if they need to arrest those who genuinely refuse to comply, the Philippine National Police will do so.) We are speaking with the legal team about our future steps to halt this inappropriate activity.)

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Also read: Alert Level 2 possible in Metro Manila due to COVID-19 cases increase

Face mask violators in Cebu may be arrested – Año

Following Garcia’s issuance of Executive Order No. 16 requiring wearing face masks solely in closed and air-conditioned venues, the Cebu provincial board enacted the ordinance on the third and final reading in a special session on Tuesday.

Garcia previously stated that she does not recognize the Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) resolution on mandatory face mask use as law, claiming that the IATF guidelines “doesn’t carry the force of law, not enacted by Congress, nor is that an Order signed by the President.”

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However, Año contradicted this, stating that local government employees may face prosecution if they violate national government orders.

The IATF has placed Cebu on Alert Level 2 from June 16 to June 30.

Certain establishments and activities are permitted at 50 percent capacity indoors for fully vaccinated adults (and minors, even if unvaccinated) and 70 percent capacity outside under Alert Level 2.

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