PNP-SAF patrols Cebu City barangay where procession held

Additional Philippine National Police-Special Action Force troopers arrived in Barangay Basak San Nicolas, Cebu City on Monday with their Israeli-made multi-purpose armored personnel carriers to help in tightening security measures after a procession was held in the area despite the strict ban on mass gatherings.

According to Ian Cruz’s report on “24 Oras” on Monday, Central Visayas police chief Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro said fourteen individuals, including the barangay chairman, will face complaints due to the conduct of procession in the area on Saturday.

Ferro said organizers of the event and those who danced in the procession are also facing criminal complaints.

“For failure to supervise the implementation of ECQ and negligence on his [barangay captain’s] part ito if ang ano kasi nila ang usapan is magdaan lang but he failed to supervise the whole activity,” Ferro said.

Barangay Basak San Nicolas captain Normal Navarro, meanwhile, admitted he had lapses.

“Inaamin ko may lapses ako. So dapat hindi ko pinahintulutan ‘yan,” Navarro said.

Nicolas Judah Tabar, the organizer, on the other hand, refused to comment while the investigation is still ongoing.

“Since I’m under investigation, I won’t say anything in the media to protect myself that may be used against me,” Tabar said.

Cebu City Mayor Edgar Labella said the city’s legal office already ordered the barangay officials to explain the holding of the procession despite the prohibition on mass gatherings.

He added a show cause order has already been issued to Navarro and the Sangguniang Pambarangay members.

“Considering that we are under ECQ, we really have to observe basic protocols like to prevent mass gatherings and to observe social and physical distancing,” Labella said.

So far, Cebu City has about 4,900 cases of COVID-19, including over 2,000 active cases and 156 deaths. — Ma. Angelica Garcia/BM, GMA News