Posers of anti-smoking task force warned

BACOLOD City Councilor Caesar Distrito warned those pretending to be a member of the Anti-Smoking Task Force.

Distrito, co-chairman of Bacolod Anti-Smoking Task Force, said Sunday, September 10, he was informed that unidentified persons pose as task force member to collect fines from violators amounting to P200 each.

Most of the victims were college students.

“Those who will be found using the name of anti-smoking task force will be charged for usurpation of authority and estafa,” the councilor said.

Distrito added that task force members have been deployed to various areas to arrest violators, but they are not authorized to accept payment of fines.

“Only the City Treasurer’s Office, Bacolod Traffic Authority Office cashier at the Bacolod City Police Office, and the City Health Office cashier are authorized to collect the payment," he added.

Last week, about 94 violators were arrested by the task force for smoking in public places.

Of the 94, 88 were males and six were females who were given citation tickets.

Distrito said 22 business establishment owners were also fined for violation of City Ordinance 641, Series of 2013, which regulates smoking in public places, including public conveyances, and advertisements, promotions, and sponsorships of tobacco products, and Executive Order 26.

Violators were given five working days to settle their penalties or else charges will be filled against them.

Distrito said that members of the task force are wearing identification cards and they were instructed not to collect fines from the violators.

“Any person claiming to be a task force member without proper identification should not be entertained by the public,” he added.

The councilor said that violators should not give money to the task force team and they should check their IDs, uniform, and issued citation tickets.

“If you are suspecting that they are pretending to be a member of the action team and want to collect the fine directly, ask for the name, the designation, and call my office immediately for verification,” Distrito added.

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