More than 50 youths and even their parents were spotted swimming and playing in the sea in Bacoor City, Cavite this Easter weekend.
Forty-four minors and 10 of legal age who were caught in various parts of Bacoor Bay from this Good Friday to Sunday were picked up and sent home.
The day-long operations were conducted by personnel of the Bacoor City Agriculture Office-Deputy Fish Warden (DFW) and the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) Bacoor.
According to Joshua Villaluz, agricultural technologist-fishery law enforcement of the Agriculture Office, the group intended to only notify residents to avoid bathing on the beach due to the lockdown.
Young people under the age of 14 are prohibited from leaving under enhanced community quarantine.
Those aged 15-65 are also not allowed to go out if they are not authorized workers or take essential goods.
But Villaluz said they noticed the influx of people especially the youth in the Bacoor Bay, many more were not wearing face masks.
So they were taken back to the 3 barangays that covered the area — Zapote 5, Zapote 1, and Digman.
The enforcers left it to the barangays how to discipline the arrested youths.
The DFW and PCG will continue to patrol the sea to remind them of compliance with health protocols and to submit violators of the lockdown.
Young people, parents caught ‘Easter swimming’ in Bacoor Bay
During ECQ, only fishermen are allowed by the group to travel at sea.
Meanwhile, the Department of Health (DOH) on Sunday reported the highest number of COVID-19 recoveries in a day since the pandemic began.
According to the DOH, 41,205 new recoveries were made, bringing the total number of those cured of respiratory disease to 646,100.
Despite this, the Philippines still recorded 11,028 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases this Sunday for a total of 795,051.
The death toll reached 13,425 after the deaths of 2 more people were reported due to COVID-19.
As a result, there are 135,526 active cases.
While the number of additional COVID-19 cases per day remains high, the bed capacity of some hospitals in Metro Manila has been depleted due to the overflow of patients.