COVID-19 INFECTIONS

QC cops clear Pumaren of any violation in superspreader event

The Quezon City Police District has cleared Councilor Franz Pumaren of health safety protocol violations, after some 6,000 residents of Barangay Old Balara flocked to a community pantry program he organized.

According to the police, Pumaren coordinated with concerned government agencies such as the QCPD, the Batasan Police Station 6, and the office of Old Balara to ensure that protocols are followed.

"Considering the number of persons in the area, it would seem like there was a violation of social distancing if pictures or videos were taken," the QCPD report indicated.

"However, if there are violators, they were immediately accosted and informed of their violation," it added.

Also, the report said that a total of 97 people managed the area during the release of goods, including 11 personnel and 50 staff members of Pumaren's office.

Earlier, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte issued a show-cause order for  Pumaren to explain his side on the matter.

In response, Pumaren maintained that efforts were made to ensure that safety protocols were implemented and observed.

"I stand by what happened that it was really unforeseen. It was unintentional because of the rain, which caused a problem on social distancing," he said in a mix of English and Filipino on GMA's "24 Oras Weekend" on Sunday.

He added that he is also working with the Quezon City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) to which the councilor will furnish a copy of the list of the 6,000 beneficiaries.

Contact tracing and swabbing in the area is scheduled to be conducted on Monday, May 31.

"This is the biggest testing in just one activity," Hanzel Tolentino, QCESU District 3 supervisor, said in the same report. —LBG, GMA News