AUTHORITIES arrested 16 individuals who failed to comply with health safety protocols while holding a party in a public place in Taguig City.
Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, Joint Task Force (JTF) Covid Shield commander, said the 16 persons were not wearing face masks and were seated close to each other in violation of physical distancing protocols.
They were released six hours later, but were charged with violation of the Taguig City Ordinance number 27-89 (drinking in public places) and violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code (resistance and disobedience to a person in authority).
He identified the arrested persons as Ralph Cruz, 19; Nichole Cruz, 21; Michael Quijou, 21; Christian Pregil, 21; Paul Belarmino, 21; Ian Augala, 21; Enen Sison, 21; Jojo Angala, 39; Jackie Bosque, 37; Franz Pascua, 19; Monica Reyes, 19; Kevin John de Guzman, 23; Ivan Pacete, 21; Gabriel Inserto, 21; Mark Anthony Ortigas, 21; and a 17-year old girl.
Eleazar said a concerned citizen reported through the JTF Facebook account that there was a drinking session on Aguirre Street in Barangay Lower Bicutan on the evening of September 12.
“When the police personnel went there, those who attended the birthday celebration were not wearing face masks and not observing the proper physical distancing,” Eleazar said.
All those accosted were taken to the basketball court of the barangay which serves as a holding area for quarantine violators, and were released after six hours.
The JTF earlier instructed police commanders to beef up their social media monitoring against quarantine violators. (Third Anne Peralta-Malonzo/SunStar Philippines)