Taking pictures of Manila Bay Sands allowed from afar —police

The public is now allowed to take pictures of the Manila Bay Sands but only from afar, the Manila Police District (MPD) Station 5 said on Tuesday.

Interviewed on Dobol B sa News TV, MPD Station 5 officer-in-charge Police Lieutenant Colonel Alex Daniel said the public can only take pictures from the sidewalk and not inside the "white sand" area.

“Sa ngayon, ipinag-utos ng ating mahal na Mayor Isko Moreno ang pagsasara ng ating Manila Bay White Sands  dahil sa mga nangyari noong nakaraang araw,” Daniel said.

He was referring to the overcrowding that happened in the area over the weekend when social distancing was not observed.

“Hindi naman po bawal dumaan doon kasi sidewalk naman po 'yun at may footbridge po dun. Free flow po yung passage natin doon. Dadaan lang po sila at kung magpapa-picture, sandali lang po,” Daniel added.

According to Isa Avendaño-Umali's report on Dobol B sa News TV, some people were still visiting the Manila Bay Sands to take pictures.

The police were also advising visitors to fall in line and observe social distancing as they wait for their turn. The visitors were using a footbridge as an observation deck for the Manila Bay Sands.

On Monday, Moreno discouraged the public from visiting the spot in light of the threat of COVID-19. For Moreno, it is enough that the public had a preview of the Manila Bay Sands through the media.

“Pakiusap ko lang sa mamamayan, gustuhin man nating makita ‘yung Manila Bay white sands, e siguro may iba pa namang panahon,” Moreno said.

“Ipagpaliban po muna natin ang pagpunta,” he added.

While understanding the excitement of the public for the project, Moreno said it must be remembered that the threat of COVID-19 is still present.

Ermita Police  station commander Police Lieutenant Colonel Ariel Caramoan has been relieved from his post following the police's failure to enforce social distancing measures in the area during the weekend. —KBK, GMA News