Calamba fiesta goers identified, to face charges

CEBU, Philippines — Authorities have already identified and are preparing charges against the people caught on photos and videos allegedly partying and drinking during a fiesta celebration in Barangay Calamba, Cebu City on Sunday.

This is a separate incident from publicly-reviled Sinulog performance during another fiesta in the neighboring sitio of Alumnos in Barangay San Nicolas on Saturday.

Both happened when the city is at the height of enhanced community quarantine, the strictest form of regulation in the fight against the coronavirus.

Police Regional Office-7 Director Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro said they were hoping to wrap up the investigation into the Calamba incident yesterday, after which, will file the appropriate cases.

“It (the filing) will be a direct filing because we cannot arrest them anymore kasi hindi man in the act, walang basis sa arrest,” Ferro said.

The PRO-7 chief, however, did not reveal the names of the suspects pending completion of the investigation.

Captain told to explain

Rey Gealon, city legal officer, said officers from the Department of Interior and Local Government have issued a show cause order against Calamba barangay captain Victor Quijano Jr., asking him to explain why he should not be held liable for the fiesta celebration in his barangay.

Quijano will be given 48 hours from receipt of the order to issue his explanation.

The explanation will be among the bases of higher authorities in determining whether administrative charges should be filed against him as well.

Charges filed

Just yesterday, charges were filed against 14 people, including San Nicolas barangay captain Norman Navarro, over the holding of the Sinulog procession in Sitio Alumnos.

Navarro had said he had no knowledge of the conduct of the activity.

According to Ferro, if these kinds of gathering and violations continue, it might take longer before Cebu City’s ECQ status would be downgraded.

“If atong mga katawhan diri sa Sugbo won't cooperate, ang atong ECQ will be extended and extended hangtod ba dugay nalang ta mo-graduate sa ECQ,” said Ferro.

As to the defense that the congregation happened because of the lack of police patrol, Ferro said they cannot cover all the corners of Cebu City with their personnel.

Moreover, he said they are not against the celebration of fiesta but are only concerned that the mass gathering would facilitate the transmission of the virus.

He further appealed to the public to cooperate and follow the ECQ protocols. JMD (FREEMAN)