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30 Chinese nationals nabbed for barroom distancing violations


Police arrested around 30 Chinese nationals on Friday evening after they were found having a party and violating social distancing rules at a KTV bar and restaurant in Makati.

According to Jonathan Andal’s report on “24 Oras Weekend,” one of the Chinese nationals attempted to argue with barangay officials, even though he was not wearing a face mask.

The foreigners said they were having a birthday celebration without alcoholic drinks, adding that they were unaware that they violated health and safety protocols.

Authorities later returned the Chinese nationals to the establishment as they had no place to detain all 30 foreigners in.

They also said that the foreigners would not be arrested but only ticketed.

The identification cards of the nationals, such as quarantine passes, driver’s licenses, and alien IDs, were confiscated.

The distancing violation came with a P1,000 fine for the first offense. Should they refuse to pay, the police would send a report to the Chinese Embassy.

“Bago ko tikitan po, tinatanong ko muna anong violation po, social distancing. Wala [talagang space] kasi kung social distance po dapat meron pong mga ano po plastic, ‘yung ano po,” Ronald Borbon, of the Makati Public Safety Department, said.

According to Makati City Police chief Oscar Jacildo, the Chinese nationals explained that they held a party because they were bored.

Meanwhile, the bar manager declined to comment.

The KTV bar may be temporarily prevented from operating or permanently closed depending on the results of the investigation. Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News

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