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ON BAGUIO INCIDENT
Health, security protocols of LGUs must be respected, followed -Eleazar
By ANNA FELICIA BAJO, GMA News No one is exempted from undergoing health and safety protocols implemented by a local government unit, the commander of the Joint Task Force COVID Shield reminded the public on Monday.
Interviewed on Unang Balita, Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar was asked for reaction on the incident in Baguio City wherein the entourage of San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora supposedly violated health security protocols after allegedly "disregarding" a checkpoint in the area.
Eleazar emphasized that everyone must respect and follow a locality's minimum health standards.
"'Yung ginawa po ng Baguio, just like sa ibang QCP, 'yun pong tinatawag nilang minimum health protocol tama po 'yun," Eleazar said.
"Kahit po kayo ay APOR o authorized, kapag dumaan po kayo sa isang checkpoint at kayo ay ni-require ng nasa checkpoint na kayo ay mag-undergo ng protocol which is getting of temperature o triage na tinatawag natin, dapat po 'yun ay nirerespeto o sinusunod ng sinuman," he added.
On Sunday, Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong said Zamora's six-vehicle convoy had violated the city's health and safety protocols
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"When his group was flagged down for inspection, the driver of the lead vehicle just slowed down a bit, and merely told the checkpoint personnel that he was part of a convoy, pointing out the vehicles tailing his police car, then forthwith sped off with the Mayor's entourage in tow," Magalong said.
Zamora's convoy also failed to present a medical health clearance when they arrived at the Baguio Country Club, according to Magalong.
Magalong, however, said Zamora has apologized for the matter, adding that he was asleep when the incident occurred.
The San Juan mayor, in a separate statement posted online, reiterated his apology and said they had no intention of breaking any checkpoint or quarantine protocols.
Magalong said the police officer who served as lead escort had committed a breach of protocols, noting that complaints have been filed against the cop.
Due to this incident, citizens of Baguio City have since launched a petition on Change.org to declare Zamora as a persona non grata.—AOL, GMA News