I COULDN’T watch the video of the nurse who was prevented from going home by her neighbors in Sitio Callijon in Barangay Labangon, Cebu City in its entirety simply because I didn’t want to get a conniption.
The video, which was uploaded by netizen Janly Grace Denol on Facebook Saturday morning, April 25, 2020, has already garnered 216,000 views, 2,700 reactions and 4,300 shares.
I don’t remember how many people were involved—because I was too bothered to notice—but whoever they are should be taught a lesson.
First of all, they can’t use ignorance as an excuse.
“The Frontliners Protection Ordinance of Cebu City” was passed last April 1 yet.
Also, the City Government and the Palace had issued several warnings against people who discriminated or harassed frontliners, especially those working in the medical field.
President Rodrigo Duterte even vowed to defend them.
“Yung mga frontliners, huwag kayong mag-alala (To the frontliners, don’t worry). I will support and defend you,” he had said after receiving reports that health workers were being attacked. “So let this be a warning to all. Follow government at this time because it is really critical that we have order. And do not harm the health workers, the doctors, and everything because that is a serious crime.”
You heard it straight from the horse’s mouth.
Maybe the nurse’s neighbors should be reminded about Section 3 of the city ordinance, which states that frontliners should not be “refused entry or ejected from usual accommodation in any lodging house, apartment, motel, hotel, inn, dormitory and other place of dwelling.”
Granted if they had no idea they were committing a “serious crime,” then they should have done the decent thing and let her through.
The nurse already explained to them that she was exempted from the lockdown because of the nature of her job, but her appeal fell on deaf ears.
Then again, what can you expect? Even Barangay Captain Victor Buendia didn’t seem to take the whole thing seriously.
According to the news report, Buendia said the incident didn’t look like it happened recently. So that made it okay? He also didn’t say he would have the matter investigated. Why? Because he knows the perpetrators? Maybe they’re his supporters or even his relatives.
If that’s the case, then Buendia should join them when they’re all hauled off to jail.
They are going to jail. Right, Mayor Labella?
If you can have Maria Victoria Beltran arrested for a sarcastic post on Facebook, the least you can do is do the same for people who were actually caught on camera violating a city ordinance and ignoring the President’s warning.