Picture-taking temporarily banned at Manila Bay 'white sand beach'

Authorities have temporarily banned picture-taking at Manila Bay Sands, the artificial "white sand beach" at Manila Bay, after curious onlookers that swarmed the place over the weekend failed to observe social distancing.

In his report on Unang Balita on Monday, GMA News' Jonathan Andal said policemen were deployed to strategic areas near the "white sand" area, including in the nearby footbridge, to prevent people from visiting the place.

Although people can still use the footbridge, they are not allowed to stop and take a photo of the artificial white sand beach like what many did during the weekend. The same goes along the Baywalk area, the report said.

On Saturday and Sunday, photos that circulated on social media showed social distancing was hardly observed when people flocked to the Manila Bay to see the controversial white sand project as it was temporarily opened to the public.

The incident prompted the national police leadership to remove the station commander of Ermita Police, Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Caramoan, from his post.

"'Pag nagkamali po ang isang komunidad, ang pulis po ay napakalaki ng responsibilidad," said Police General Camilo Cascolan, chief of the Philippine National Police (PNP), in the report.

MPD Station 5 officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant Colonel Alex Daniel visited the site on Monday to ensure that government guidelines are strictly being implemented.

“Pansamantala nating kino-close po yung Manila Baywalk. Puwede pong dumaan. Free way po ito e. Pero ang iniiwasan po natin, magkaroon po ng build-up na magkumpol-kumpulan na naman yung mga tao,” he said.

The implementation of social distancing protocol has been made mandatory by the government amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) said Phase 2 of the Manila Bay nourishment project will start within the week. No date yet has been set on when the "white sand" area of Manila Bay will be again opened to the public. —with Tina Panganiban-Perez/KBK/KG, GMA News