JOLO, Sulu, Philippines – Police authorities in this town, backed-up by barangay tanods (village watchmen), had started implementing a temporary curfew hours policy of the local government aimed at rationalizing the movement of people around its commercial district during night time.

Mayor Hussin U. Amin said the implementation of a six-hour curfew was agreed upon recently during a multi-sectoral meeting here.

“The implementation of curfew hours here was agreed during a multi-sectoral meeting we conducted, aimed at addressing the safety of youngsters and adults as well, who go home late at night without any valid reason to stay outside their residences late at night,” Amin explained.

The six-hour curfew is covered by Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Resolution 150, Series of 2011, and will be in effect daily starting October 8, from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. the following day, Amin said.

According to Amin, policemen backed-up by village watchmen from Alat, Asturias, Bus-Bus, Chinese Pier, San Raymundo, Takut-Takut, Tulay, and Walled City (Poblacion proper) will be in-charge in the implementation of the provisions of the SB resolution for the curfew hours here.

Exempted from curfew hours are medical and emergency cases, and other situations calling for emergency attention, Amin said.

The mayor reminded the residents of this town in general to strictly respect the implementation of the temporary curfew policy to avoid unnecessary inconveniences.

Those people who will be caught violating the curfew hours here will be detained until the following day, while those who will be caught violating the curfew hours for the second time will be asked to perform some community works before they can be released.

He clarified, however, that the implementation of the temporary curfew in this town doesn’t necessarily mean that the peace and order aspect of the municipality has deteriorated.

The chief executive here said that the peace and order situation in this town is still under control, and the curfew hour policy being implemented is just one of the measures to discourage lawless elements from committing crimes in the area, especially during nighttime, Amin explained.

The same resolution also called for a strict implementation of a ban on wearing a military or police uniform by civilians here.

Amin said civilians that will be caught wearing a military or police uniform will be interrogated and will be ask to discard the uniform before they can be released.