A complaint of a netizen to the Facebook account of the Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield regarding the frequent social gathering, that include drinking sessions, in a community led to the apprehension of two individuals in Marilao, Bulacan on Sunday night.
They were identified as Racquel Rivera and Cesar Jhon Rivera, both residents of Lhinette Homes in Barangay Saog, Marilao.
Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Lorenzo Eleazar, Commander of the JTF COVID Shield, said the netizen sent a private message to the COVID Shield Facebook page reporting the regular social gathering in the area.
The netizen added that those who attend the social gathering usually ignore the use of face masks and face shields and even the physical distancing—all of them are part of the required minimum health safety standard protocol that must be observed in public places.
“Coordination was immediately made with the Marilao Municipal Police Station to inform them of the quarantine violations based on the complaint,” Eleazar said.
The Chief of Police of Marilao Police Station, Police Lieutenant Colonel Dominador Ignacio, immediately sent Police Executive Master Sergeant Roberto Reynoso and Police Corporal Ian Milo Marino to proceed to the area but the social gathering was already stopped by the barangay tanods.
The two suspects were invited to the barangay hall while the owner of the house was also warned by the local police. The local police are now waiting for the action of the barangay officials as the netizen who reported the quarantine violations decided to file a complaint at the barangay and pursue the case.
Eleazar expressed gratitude to the netizen who reported the quarantine violations for contributing to the government’s efforts to prevent the spread of the coronavirus and heeding the call of the JTF COVID Shield to protect each and every person in the barangay to protect his/her community from the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19).
“As promised, we will immediately act on your complaint through our Facebook page. Just send a message, and if possible including the photos and short videos of the quarantine violations, and we will do the rest, including the protection of your identity,” said Eleazar.
Since the creation of the COVID Shield Facebook page on September 11, a total of 97 cases of quarantine violations based on netizens’ complaints and monitoring of viral photos and videos were acted upon. Most of the reports came from Metro Manila with 61 and CALABARZON (Cavite, Laguna, Batangas, Rizal, Quezon) with 16.
It was recalled that 16 people were apprehended in Taguig City after a netizen sent photos of a drinking session on a street as part of the birthday celebration to the JTF COVID Shield Facebook page.
Most of the cases, however, were settled at the barangay level through warning and imposition of fine as a penalty.
IN PHOTO: The two individuals while held for questioning at the Barangay Hall allegedly for hosting a frequent drinking sessions inside a residential area in Marilao, Bulacan on Sunday amid pandemic.