34 nabbed for disrespecting anthem in Batangas

MANILA, Philippines — Police officers conducting a surprise inspection inside a movie theater arrested 34 moviegoers who refused to stand up while the Philippine national anthem was being played before a film showing at a mall in Lemery, Batangas on Wednesday.

Batangas police director Senior Supt. Edwin Quilates said the violators were nabbed for disrespecting the national anthem and would be charged with violating Republic Act 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines.

The incident happened at Xentro Mall in Barangay Malinis at around 2 p.m., according to a police report.

The 15 males and 19 females were about to watch the movie “The Hows of Us” starring Kathryn Bernardo and Daniel Padilla when “Lupang Hinirang” started playing.

Instead of standing up to acknowledge the country’s national anthem, Quilates said the moviegoers stayed in their seats.

“They did not stand in attention and disrespected the Philippine national anthem,” he said.

He said the violators were immediately accosted for their act and brought to the police station for investigation.

According to Insp. Hazel Luma-ang, Batangas police information officer, the Lemery policemen were conducting an operation against violators of RA 8491 inside the movie house.  

“The operation resulted in the arrest of the suspects for not standing at attention and for disrespecting the Philippine national anthem while it was being played prior to the showing of the movie entitled "The Hows of Us,” Luma-ang said.

Luma-Ang said the Code of the Philippines, under Section 38, states that when the national anthem is played at a public gathering, whether by a band or by singing or both, or reproduced by any means, the attending public shall sing the anthem. The singing must be done with fervor.

She also said as a sign of respect, all persons should stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor.

At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palm over their left chest. – With Ed Amoroso, Arnell Ozaeta