I JUST attended a two-day budget representation at the GMA Network main office in Quezon City over the weekend where station managers under Radyo GMA (RGMA) all over the country presented and defended their respective 2020 station budget and expenses before network officials.
In my talk with my counterparts in Davao City, they told me that recently that there is another form of disciplining residents in the city who stray or stay out of their houses at night. There is a group of unidentified motorcycle riding-in-tandem who goes around the city who will conduct “bunal” (whip) operations to people using the tail of a stingray who stay or make “tambay” late at night.
These motorcycle riding-in-tandem replaces riding-in-tandem who conduct extrajudicial killings against notorious persons. They just appear before a group of “tambays” in urban barangays and without any question they will start whipping people, mostly minors. The series of “bunal” incidents has created fear among the the youth, prompting them to go home early to avoid being victimized by the group.
While some residents welcome this development, call center agents have complained because some of them have been victimized by the group, especially those who report to work in the wee hours of the morning and have to wait for transportation.
Some residents suspect the operation is the handiwork of the police to discipline and discourage people from roaming around the city late at night. But the police denied any involvement in the “bunal group” operation. The police deployed several uniformed men at night to stop the activities of the group. But as of this time, nobody has been caught.
The police have noticed that nights are more peaceful after the series of whipping incidents. No major crimes have been recorded and they found that there were fewer minors seen roaming in the city. Some parents also welcome this development as a form of disciplining their children who usually go out late at night.
Since the time of mayor and now President Rodrigo Duterte, the City Government imposed a curfew in all establishments, especially those that offer liquor and beverages at night. The liquor ban starts at 1 a.m. There is also an ordinance prohibiting the drinking of liquor along the streets, parks and other public places.
Under the so-called “sobriety ordinance,” violators face a fine of P3,000 for the first offense and P5,000 and/or imprisonment of three months for the second offense and a fine of P5,000 and one year imprisonment for the third offense.
The sale of liquor is prohibited starting midnight. The “sobriety ordinance” lists parking areas, green spaces, gardens, playgrounds, uninhabited private places used without the permission of the owner, beaches, empty lots and abandoned houses or buildings as among those where drinking liquor is prohibited.
Even hotels and bars are prohibited from selling liquor and other intoxicated substances during night time. The city is also strictly implementing curfew hours for unaccompanied minors and smoking in public places. Upon his assumption as President, Duterte was contemplating of adopting a liquor ban during midnight in the entire country. But he said he needs Congress to pass a legislation pertaining to it. This is also a way to curb criminality during the night. But until now, Congress has not passed a law regarding it.
Mao nang daghan gihapon ang mga hubog nga magsuroy-suroy ug mga tambay panahon sa kagabhion. Asa may maayo nga atong i-adopt ning “bunal gang” dinhi sa ato? Daghan gyud nga mga asawa ang malipay.