PHILIPPINE National Police (PNP) Chief Guillermo Eleazar on Thursday, May 27, 2021, ordered all police commanders to investigate barangay officials who fail to prevent mass gatherings and other violations to health protocols that may lead to coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) transmission.
Eleazar gave the order in compliance with President Rodrigo Duterte’s verbal directive on Wednesday night, May 26.
“Naniniwala tayo na itong mga barangay chairman dapat alam nila ang nangyayari jan at dapat aksyunan nila. Kaya nga ang sinabi ng ating Pangulo na pati na rin itong mga barangay chairman, let’s hold them responsible sa mga ganyang violation. Pero ngayon proactive na winawarningan na pwede kayong hulihin o mafile-an ng kaso for inaction and for tolerating the existence of this,” he said in a press conference.
“Cases will be filled against them then eventually pag nagka-warrant of arrest arestuhin pa rin yan,” he added.
Eleazar said the police may immediately arrest barangay officials who are caught in the act of commissioning gatherings.
Meanwhile, Department of the Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo Año said the police and the local government units (LGUs) should strengthen their coordination to stop mass gatherings.
He said both the police and the LGU officials may use technology, such as closed-circuit television, in monitoring their areas of jurisdiction.
“Pangalawa, napakalinaw naman kung saan nagsisimula ung mga super spreader events. Mga parks, ‘yung mga lugar kung saan nagkakaroon ng tupada, mga lugar na nagkakaroon ng basketball, boxing, ‘yung mga may swimming pool area, pool party. Mga resort merong mga clubhouse na may mga swimming pool. Kaya ang kailangan mo d’yan, aktibo ka,” he added.
Año said barangays may tap volunteers and home associations as additional monitoring forces.
Meanwhile, he assured that barangay officials will undergo due process.
“Sa usaping pagaresto, di naman yan sinasabing arestuhin mo kaagad. Ang ibig sabihin nun, kapag may nagaganap na isang super spreader event at walang ginawa ang kapitan at pagpunta ng ating authorities dun sa lugar na yun, isama mo na si kapitan sa pagaresto dahil hindi niya ginawa ang kanyang trabaho,” said Año.
“So hindi ibig sabihin na automatic. Bibigyan natin ng pagkakataon si kapitan na gawin ang lahat ngkaukulang aksyon para matigil, ma-prevent, maiwasan yung mga super spreader event. Pero despite that, nakita natin walang ginagawa si kapitan. Dun talagang papasok ung sinasabi ng Pangulo na arestuhin mo na yan. Merong mga kaukulang kaso,” he added.
In Caloocan City, at least 20 out of the around 300 people who flocked to the Gubat sa Ciudad resort while the city was under modified enhanced community quarantine tested positive for the virus.
Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan has ordered the revocation of the resort’s license to operate. Charges have been filed against barangay officials and the police commander in the area was removed from post.
In Quezon City, 55 people who attended a pool party in Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon tested positive for the virus.
The city’s Legal Department earlier issued a show cause order against Barangay Chairman Feliciano dela Cruz. (SunStar Philippines)