16 arrested in Taguig drinking session without face masks, distancing

September 15, 2020

A total of 16 people were arrested for violating quarantine rules after they were reported to be in a drinking session in Taguig City last September 12, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield said on Tuesday.

According to Police Lt. General Guillermo Eleazar, JTF commander, the incident was reported on their Facebook page by a concerned citizen.

Operatives from Hagonoy Police Sub-Station 9 in Bicutan were sent to Aguirre Street in Barangay Lower Bicutan around 10:30 pm to verify the report.

Upon arrival, they chanced upon the suspects who were drinking..

“When police personnel went there, those who attended the birthday celebration were not wearing face masks and not observing social distancing,” said Eleazar.

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.

Eleazar said violators will be charged for violation of the Taguig City ordinance on drinking in public places and for resistance and disobedience to a person in authority.

He said the operation conducted in Taguig City was the first quarantine violation-related police operation since the JTF COVID Shield activated a Facebook page on September 11.

“The operation in Taguig City is a proof of what we as a country could achieve in terms of protecting public health if we would all work together to protect ourselves and our community from the coronavirus,” the JTF commander said.

“We hope that this successful operation would encourage more of our countrymen to report to us all the quarantine violations in their community. We assure them of our quick response and the protection of their identity,” Eleazar added. Ella Dionisio/DMS