THE Commission on Human Rights (CHR) in Negros said the Silay Police Station has not anticipated that some have put malice on the "parade" of health protocol violators in the city that has circulated online.
Romeo Baldevarona, head of CHR-Negros, said they have already investigated the matter despite that no one of the 39 residents who allegedly violated the "Silay City Covid-19 Counter Measure Ordinance" has filed any complaint.
"Some are even thankful that they were not obliged to pay the corresponding penalty for the violation," Baldevarona said.
On Thursday, the 39 residents who allegedly violated "Silay City Covid-19 Counter Measure Ordinance," particularly not wearing facemasks and not observing physical distancing, were randomly apprehended by police personnel during patrol operations.
Among those who were apprehended were tricycle drivers, ambulant vendors, bystanders and shoppers.
Violation for the said city ordinance has a fine of P1,000 for the first offense, P2,000 for the second offense and P3,000 for the third offense.
Baldevarona said they personally interviewed Major Rollie Pondevilla, chief of Silay City Police Station, who told them that such activity was done in good faith and that it would be too crowded at the police station to put all the 39 violators there.
He said after the parade and seminar they were allowed to go home.
Baldevarona also said the situation has been blown out of proportion when some already described it as a "parade of zombies."
He said there is also a national law that covers the police action against violators of health protocols in this time of the Covid-19 pandemic.
He further said that it was also good that the Silay City police have conducted a seminar about the health protocols for violators because some of them told police that they do not believe there is a Covid-19 health threat, the reason for their failure to wear face masks and face shields.
"It was a proper way of handling the situation," Baldevarona said.
Pondevilla earlier said he welcomed the move of the CHR to conduct an investigation on the recent incident.
Pondevilla told SunStar Bacolod that they acted in good faith and that there was nothing wrong with what they did.
A video of violators being "paraded" while doing a "hands forward" position had earlier circulating online.
Pondevilla said it was necessary to ensure proper social distancing among the violators is observed. The residents walked only 15 to 20 meters.
"What we have done is not bad for the people. It's for their welfare given that we are still in the middle of the pandemic so health protocols have to be observed," Pondevilla said.
"We see no problem if they want us to be investigated," he added.