The Philippine National Police revealed that 243 individuals were arrested for using e-cigarettes or vaping. The police, however, said that they were immediately freed because there was no law or basis to file cases.
“243 persons were released after documentation,” Police Spokesman Brigadier General Bernard Banac told reporters in a media briefing.
318 pieces of vaping gadgets were confiscated and 666 vape juices were collected.
The PNP insisted that there’s enough basis to conduct the arrests, including the verbal order of President Rodrigo Duterte to ban vaping.
“I am now ordering all law enforcement agencies to arrest anybody vaping in public. That is like smoking,” Duterte said last week.
Executive Order No. 26 is also being used by arresting officials, but vaping is not included in the EO.
