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Sinas wants spacious areas for processing of arrest of large number of offenders


National Capital Region Police Office (NCRPO) chief Police Major General Debold Sinas on Tuesday said he advised chiefs of police to identify spacious spaces to process the arrest of a huge number of offenders.

This came following the arrest of more or less 100 individuals arrested in a restaurant-bar in Makati City for allegedly violating social distancing rules amid the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila to stop COVID-19.

Sinas said police want to ensure that social distancing is being observed during law enforcement operations.

"'Yun yung isa sa mga aspect na ginagawa namin kung may kalakihan na grupo na nahuhuli ay naghahanap kami ng mga malaking lugar. With our experience sa Makati ay inadvisan ko na lahat 'yung chiefs of police, in case mayroong malalaking ganoong arrest or violation ng quarantine law ay ready na sila dalhin kaagad sa lugar na 'yun," Sinas said at a press briefing.

"Huwag na nila dalhin sa police station na magkumpulan. 'Yun ang bagong instruction namin. Nag-locate na sila para in case manghuli sila ng ganoon, maidala na diretso at hindi magkumpulan sa loob ng istasyon." Sinas said.

Makati City police chief Police Colonel Oscar Jacildo told GMA News Online that authorities are still waiting for the resolution of the complaints filed against the individuals.

According to Police Major Gideon Ines, chief of Makati Police Criminal Investigation Unit, those nabbed had undergone inquest proceedings on Monday over alleged violations of Art. 151 of the Revised Penal Code and Republic Act. 11332.

Police earlier claimed the restaurant-bar had no permit to resume its operations. The owner had refused to comment on the matter. 

Earlier reports said the owner's lawyer had argued that the area was 900 square meters long and only 100 people were arrested.

The lawyer also said the establishment's tables were organized to ensure that social distancing would be practiced by its customers. — RSJ, GMA News

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