DILG issues show cause order vs. barangay execs allegedly involved in Cebu City procession

The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday issued show cause order against barangay officials who were supposedly involved in the conduct of a procession in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City despite the enhanced community quarantine being enforced in the area.

In a statement, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he also tasked the Philippine National Police - Criminal Investigation and Detection Group to conduct an investigation and file charges against the barangay executives and organizers of the said event.

“We will not tolerate any violation of our quarantine protocols. Those responsible will be made to account. Hindi din naman tayo tumitigil sa pagpapaalala na napakalaki ng risk of transmission ng COVID-19 sa mass gathering and yet we see these kinds of activities and what makes it worse ay ang barangay na ito ay isang COVID-19 hot spot,” Año said.

“We will definitely get to the bottom of this. We have issued a show cause order against the officials who are involved in this blatant violation of the ECQ currently being implemented in Cebu City,” he added.

The DILG chief is dismayed with the incident because despite being a COVID-19 hot spot, organizers of the event still pushed through with the parade in the said  barangay.

“We need people to practice discipline. They should know better dahil ang Cebu City ang may pinakamaraming kaso, dapat sila ang mas maingat,” Año said.

“We have nothing against the expression of devotion but in a time of crisis, kailangan mag-isip din naman tayo. Sa ganitong mga pagsuway mas maraming buhay tayong nilalagay sa kapahamakan. Disiplina Muna!” he added.

The Central Visayas police earlier said a total of 14 individuals, including barangay chairman Norman Navarro, would face charges due to the incident.

According to Cebu City police officer-in-charge Police Colonel Cydric Tamayo, the complaints would be filed against the involved individuals this afternoon. He strongly said considerations would not be applied even if the event was a religious gathering.

"Inaantay lang namin 'yung iba pang mga witnesses para makapagsabi na talagang nangyari 'yun..." Tamayo told Super Radyo dzBB.

"Kakasuhan natin ng regular filing kasi hindi natin naaktuhan, ifafile natin ang kaso, hindi puwedeng magkaroon tayo ng humanitarian considerations dito. We will be enforcing the law," he added.

Reports said a religious gathering took place at Sitio Alumnos in Barangay Basak San Nicolas on Saturday night to celebrate the Feast Day of St. John the Baptist and Sto. Niño.

The event includes a caravan, procession and ceremonial dancing.

According to the DILG, hundreds of people flocked the street and joined the Sinulog street dance and procession despite the spike of COVID-19 cases in the area. — RSJ, GMA News