Eleazar says barangay exec could also face raps over Caloocan resort violating protocols

Aside from the owner of the Caloocan resort, which was found operating despite the modified enhanced community quarantine amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the barangay chairman in the area could also face charges, Philippine National Police chief Police General Guillermo Eleazar said on Monday.

"Talagang kakasuhan ng PNP itong may-ari noon and pinag-aaralan na file-an ng kaso pati 'yung barangay chairman in the area for violation of Art. 208. They have to justify bakit nahayaan na mangyari 'yan," Eleazar said during a press briefing.

(Charges will be filed against the owner and we are mulling filing a case against the barangay chairman as well for violation of Art. 208. They have to justify why they allowed that to happen.)

"This should serve as a lesson and warning again to all others not just the establishments, owners and management, but the barangay chairmen," he added.

Eleazar said authorities would also determine if those who went swimming in the resort will be slapped with charges too. He said the PNP is checking this with the Northern Police District.

Caloocan City Mayor Oscar Malapitan has ordered the closure of Gubat sa Ciudad resort. He said charges would be filed against the owner of the resort.

In a video footage, several individuals, including children who are not allowed outside under MECQ, were seen swimming in the pools of the resort.

He said the closure of the resort should serve as a warning to other establishments violating the protocols under MECQ.

"The best thing to do is to prevent that to happen and we are seeking, appealing [to] the establishments in the different areas na huwag kayong mag-hold or iprevent niyo 'yung ganoong nangyayari," he said.

Caloocan officials went to the resort Monday morning to serve the business permit revocation notice but no representative of the establishment faced them. —AOL, GMA News