Seniors, kids join dense Divisoria crowd despite COVID-19 ban

Senior citizens and minors were part of the dense crowd in Divisoria on Tuesday despite a Metro Manila prohibition against them venturing from their homes amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic.

According to Tina Panganiban-Perez’s report on “24 Oras,” shoppers were barely following social distancing rules while some were not wearing face shields.

“Hindi naman [takot]. Ligo ako ng alcohol bago pumasok dito,” one shopper said.

“Hindi naman ako nadikit ng husto kasi ano, iniisip ko rin ‘yung kalusugan,” reasoned another patron.

The Manila Police District (MPD) repeatedly reminded the public to wear face masks and face shields as well as to maintain distancing.

According to the MPD Station 11, around 600,000 to 700,000 shoppers go to Divisoria and Binondo each day.

Police were particularly focused on Ilaya Street, where stalls were arranged in a row.

Nineteen personnel of the Police Community Precinct, two SWAT teams, and 37 personnel of the Philippine National Police-Special Action Force monitored the area.

Meanwhile, 72 police officers are monitoring the streets of Juan Luna. Tabora, MD Santos, and Recto.

“Guidance sa amin is bigyan muna ng warning, pagsabihan. Kasi karamihan naman na ginagawa ng mga kababayan natin, ‘yung face shield parang ginagawa nilang sumbrero kasi parang nahihirapan daw silang makahinga,” Police Lieutenant Colonel Rollyfer Capoquian, MPD Station 11 commander, said.

“So sinisita namin sila na i-suot nila properly. ‘Pag halimbawa, na-warning-an na po natin sila at patuloy pa rin nilang ini-ignore ‘yung warning nating sa kanila, so that’s the time na hinuhuli na natin,” he added.

Offenders will be fined P1,000 for the first offense, P3,000 for the second offense, and P5,000 as well as imprisonment for the third offense.

“Maging disiplinado po tayo sa ating mga sarili. Unang-una, mayroon tayong dalawang kalaban. Ito po ‘yung virus. Tapos ‘yung pangalawa, mga salisi, mga snatcher,” he said. — Joahna Lei Casilao/DVM, GMA News