9 minors rescued on first night

THE FIRST night of the implementation of the regional curfew, police rescued nine minors roaming in the streets in the city.

Also, police accosted some residents for having a drinking spree outside their houses during the curfew period, a violation of the newly implemented extended liquor ban period.

The Davao Regional COVID-19 Task Force imposed on Thursday a regionwide curfew from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m. in an effort to prevent the spread of the dreaded virus.

Captain Rosario Aguilar, spokesperson of the Davao City Police Office (DCPO), said Sta. Ana Police Station rescued nine minors – six boys and three girls aging 13 to 17 – in the streets of Agdao District on Thursday night.

Aguilar said the minors were brought to the Women and Children’s Protection Desk.

The DCPO spokesperson said police were not arresting anyone on Thursday night but only warning those who violated to go home.

Major Jason Baria, chief of the Toril Police Station, said they would start arresting violators on Friday night.

In Toril, Baria said some curfew violators were even having drinking session outside their houses.

The curfew exempted the following workers of:

Hospitals, medical clinics, pharmacies and drug stores, public markets, supermarkets, groceries, convenience stores;

Food preparation and delivery services, water-refilling stations, manufacturing and processing plants of basic food products and medicines;

Banks, money transfer services, public utilities (power, energy, water and telecommunications supplies) and government-accredited facilities;

Media personnel and persons transiting to and from work provided they shall present necessary identification and certificate of employment, and;

Authorized government offices and personnel of law enforcement agencies and persons officially assisting in the fight against COVID-19.