CCPO warns barangay captains on mass gathering

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City Police Office has warned the barangay captains who fail to supervise any forms of mass gatherings in their areas.

This is in response to President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to the police to arrest “first” the barangay captain should there be mass gatherings in their barangay.

CCPO deputy director for operations, Police Lt. Col. Wilbert Parilla, revealed that they have already received several reports about mass gatherings being held in different areas in the city.

"Karon ato ng gi-direct atong mga chiefs of police because daghan na kaayo tang nadawat nga mga report, especially atong daghan nga mga fiesta unya ang fiesta naa nay mga procession naa pa gyuy mga banda nga gasunod," Parilla told reporters.

Parilla added they have already directed also the station chiefs to visit the barangay officials under their area of responsibility to inform them the directives of the President.

"And then ato na sad ni gibawal ang sa fiesta nga mag-procession nga naay banda nga magkuyog, pero as of now, wala pa gyud ni sya gi-approve," said Parilla.

Parilla however clarified that they will not be conducting arrests, however, the chairman will be slapped with regular filing to pave way for an investigation.

This is also to consider that some barangay captains may not have an idea that a mass gathering has been conducted in their areas.

"Regular filing, record lang nato kung dunay mahitabo and then kung duna gyud dapat ma file-lan, so atong i-regular filing," said Parilla.

Parilla said that last week they have also received reports that a procession was conducted in a barangay in the city.

He said the move is on top of the directives of the Emergency Operations Center (EOC) that the holding of Flores de Mayo will be limited to avoid the violation of the health protocols.

"Pero nakita nato last week nga dunay mga procession nga nahitabo, naa pa juy banda," said Parilla.

Parilla, however, withheld the names of the reported barangays pending their validation.

This, according to him, will serve as a warning to barangay officials that they should supervise their areas and look into any mass gathering.

"Or else mapugos jud ta og file og kaso," added Parilla. — GMR (FREEMAN)