556 cited for violating ordinances in Cebu

Local

MORE than 500 individuals were apprehended for violating local laws in recent police operations in Cebu.

The Cebu Provincial Police Office (CPPO) said 556 violators were cited with Toledo City, Carcar City, and Danao City emerging as the top contributors to ordinance violations in the province.

The CPPO saoid on Friday, April 10, said the figures came from 96 police activities conducted across component cities and municipalities as part of its province-wide campaign.

In total, the operations generated ₱71,316 in fines and resulted in 378 warnings issued to individuals.

Authorities said the bulk of violations involved minors breaching curfew hours, accounting for 233 cases.

Another 185 individuals were apprehended for drinking and smoking in public places, while 94 violations were linked to city ordinances and traffic regulations.

Police also cited 24 individuals for roaming in public without proper attire, alongside other infractions such as unauthorized use of karaoke beyond prescribed hours, obstruction-related violations, and minor disturbances affecting public order.

Col. Abubakar Udang Mangelen Jr., chief of CPPO, said the results reflect sustained enforcement efforts aimed at strengthening discipline and ensuring community safety.

“This accomplishment reflects Cebu PPO’s unwavering commitment to maintaining peace and order through the strict enforcement of local ordinances. These efforts are geared toward instilling discipline and ensuring safer communities,” he said, urging the public to remain cooperative and law-abiding.

The campaign is part of the directive from the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) to strictly implement local ordinances nationwide.

Interior Secretary Juanito Victor Remulla Jr. has ordered intensified enforcement to reinforce discipline and uphold public order, a policy echoed by regional police leadership.

The latest enforcement drive comes on the heels of improved peace and order indicators during the recent Holy Week, when police recorded a significant drop in crime incidents across the province.

Data from the CPPO showed that total crime cases fell to 276 from March 29 to April 5, 2026, down by 44.24 percent from 495 incidents logged during the April 13–20, 2025 Holy Week period.

Both Peace and Order Indicators (POI) and Public Safety Indicators (PSI) registered declines, with notable reductions in several of the eight focus crimes.

Cases of physical injuries dropped from 10 to three, while murder and rape incidents were halved from two cases each to one. Robbery cases remained at three, while theft slightly increased from four to five.

Police also reported zero incidents of shooting, carnapping, and homicide during the period.

Mangelen attributed the decline to intensified security measures, increased police visibility in key areas such as churches, transport terminals, tourist destinations, and major roads, and strong coordination with stakeholders and local government units.(TGP)