106 cyclists rounded up in Manila

MANILA, Philippines — The Manila Police District (MPD) yesterday rounded up 106 cyclists even though they exercised within the allowed window hours of 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.

The cyclists came from Quezon City, Pasig, Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela, MPD Station 3 commander Lt. Col John Guiagui said.

Although they were within the allowable exercise period during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), they should have done their exercises within their barangays or compounds, Guiagui added.

“They are considered unauthorized persons outside residence,” Guiagui said.

Cycling outside their residences also defeats the purpose of the ECQ, according to MPD district director Brig. Gen. Leo Francisco.

“If everyone will have their own interpretation of window hours, then our ECQ will be for nothing,” Francisco said.

The MPD said the cyclists face charges of violating Republic Act 11332 or the Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act.

“We will also look into filing charges for disobedience in relation to violations of IATF protocols,” Francisco said, referring to the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

Fiscals and judges have dismissed complaints in relation to RA 11332 being used by police to justify arrests during the pandemic.

The Manila city prosecutor’s office dismissed a similar complaint filed by the MPD against 17 LGBTQ+ activists for holding a Pride March in Mendiola in June last year.

The MPD failed to prove that the protesters broke the law by staging a rally while being afflicted with COVID-19, Assistant City Prosecutor Kristine Ria Cirilo said in the resolution.

Norzagaray Municipal Trial Court Judge Julie Rita Suarez-Badillo dismissed a similar “non-cooperation” complaint filed by the police against former Anakpawis congressman Ariel Casilao and six others for distributing relief goods during the ECQ in Bulacan in March last year.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) dismissed the complaint against Sen. Koko Pimentel for his quarantine breach last year despite testing positive.

The DOJ said the senator was not obliged to report to authorities as provided in the law because he is not a public health authority.