CEBU, Philippines - It is now unlawful to wear head gears that conceal the face in Bogo City, Cebu.
The City Council recently passed an ordinance prohibiting the wearing of mask, bonnet and all other forms of coverings that could conceal the identity of the wearer, and Mayor Celestino “Junie†Martinez Jr. has already signed it into law.
“This ordinance is crafted for the purpose of preempting crimes whose perpetrators conveniently conceal their faces with any covering,†read the ordinance authored by Councilor Rhett Minguez.
Violators are punished with a P1,000 fine or one day imprisonment for first offense; P2,000 fine or two days imprisonment for second offense; and P5,000 fine or one month imprisonment for third offense.
The City police had earlier recommended the enactment of an ordinance that bars from anyone any form of covering that hides the face as it has become a convenient disguise for offenders in committing crimes.
Aside from policemen, the ordinance authorized, barangay officials, traffic enforcers, and barangay tanods in enforcing its provisions. (FREEMAN)