Preventing crowds during aspirant caravans a shared responsibility –Palace

Preventing crowds and mass gathering during caravans of aspirants seeking office in Eleksyon 2022 amid a COVID-19 pandemic is a responsibility for all, the Palace said Friday.

Acting presidential spokesperson Karlo Nograles made this response when asked if penalties or sanctions were needed given that caravans draw crowds that put people at risk of getting infected with COVID-19.

"In our fight against COVID-19, we need to help each other. To those who participate in caravans, wear a face mask, observe proper sanitation and social distancing, make sure you are fully vaccinated. We really need the support and cooperation of everybody," Nograles said.

"On part of local government units, the local chief executives, they know how challenging it is to bring down the number of COVID-19 cases. Let us not waste our accomplishments and make sure that guidelines are in place," Nograles added.

In addition, Nograles assured the public that the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) is on top of the situation.

"It is a shared responsibility. We all have a role to play," Nograles added.

The camp of former Senator Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. earlier apologized to the public, especially motorists and traffic enforcers, who were affected by the caravan held in Quezon City on Wednesday morning.

"Humihingi na rin ng paumanhin at pang-unawa ang BBM-Sara UniTeam sa mga motorista, byahero, pamahalaang lungsod at maging sa MMDA (Metropolitan Manila Development Authority) kung ang nasabing Unity Caravan ay nagdulot ng pagsikip sa daloy ng trapiko," Rodriguez said.

(We apologize and ask for understanding from motorists, travelers, the local government, and even the MMDA, who were affected by the heavy traffic brought by our Unity Caravan.)

The Quezon City Police District estimated the crowd in the area to have reached more or less 6,000. — DVM, GMA News