Frasco defends Camotes event

CEBU, Philippines — Cebu Fifth District Rep. Vincent “Duke” Frasco has defended the event his camp organized on July 10, 2021 in San Francisco town in Camotes Islands that is now the subject of police investigation for alleged violation of quarantine protocols.

The investigation stemmed from a complaint filed by an anonymous complainant with the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG), which DILG forwarded to the police. No less than PNP chief Guillermo Eleazar ordered the probe.

In a statement released Friday, August 20, 2021, Frasco admitted that they organized a Friendship Ride/Run on July 10 but the event was reportedly sanctioned by the town and the Regional Inter-Agency Task Force (RIATF).

Frasco posted on Facebook images of the permits signed by San Francisco Mayor Alfredo Arquillano, Jr. and Marlou Salazar, regional director of the Office of Civil Defense, who chairs the RIATF.

"There was full coordination by the event organizers and marshals with the LGU, local PNP, Barangay officials, Barangay tanods, and Barangay health workers to assist in the implementation of health and safety protocols and guidelines," Frasco said.

He said all those who took part in the event, including the 667 bikers and runners, “were required to fill out health declaration forms and undergo temperature checks before the event, as well as wear masks during the event. All participants were continuously reminded by the organizers before and during the event to follow necessary health/safety protocols and guidelines including wearing of masks and social distancing.”

Frasco also said that because Cebu Province was still under modified general community quarantine (MGCQ) at that time, the event “clearly fell below the maximum allowable MGCQ threshold” of up to 50 percent accommodation at venues for events and gatherings since there were “only 667 registered participants, plus spectators and event organizers.”

The event was held at a public beach in Barangay Santiago, San Francisco, which can accommodate up to 25,000 people.

A video of the event has been making the rounds on social media wherein Frasco is seen dancing with performers.

Frasco said he was invited to join in the dance during the closing ceremony and “he was more than happy to oblige seeing the effort these young people had put in."

Cases

The complainant told DILG that the party was viewed to have contributed to the spike of cases in the island.

Citing data from the Department of Health (DOH, Frasco said there has not been a significant increase of COVID-19 in the island for 15 days from July 11 up to July 25.

"On the contrary, the 15-day period subsequent the event showed either ZERO new cases or single digit cases, with most days having only one or two new cases," he said, adding, "Even among the new cases, contact tracing records show that NONE of these persons who tested positive of COVID-19 were participants of the Team Frasco Friendship Ride/Run."

Frasco assured he will cooperate in any investigation that will be undertaken but he has not received a copy of the complaint or any directive for him to answer as of Friday, August 20. – JMO (FREEMAN)