Kalunasan captain denies breaking liquor ban, curfew

CEBU, Philippines —  Kalunasan, Cebu City barangay captain Nunilon MonarEs has aired his side after being caught on video allegedly in possession of alcoholic beverage in Barangay Kamputhaw Sunday night despite the ongoing liquor ban and curfew.

Monares has clarified that he just attended the birthday celebration of a friend and did not drink any alcoholic beverage. He also said he was not among the people caught by the tanods for violating curfew.

“Nganong mag-inom man tawon ko nga gikan pa ko nag-distribute sa nasunogan?... Gidaot pa nila ang mayor, nga ako tawo ko sa mayor (Why will I drink when I even came from distributing aid to fire victims? They even involved the mayor, that I allegedly am allied to the mayor),” said Monares.

Before going to the celebration, Monares said he was distributing goods to the fire survivors in his barangay.

He said that while having his dinner at his friend's place, someone went inside and asked for his help after some persons outside had been caught by a tanod for violating the curfew.

The curfew in the city is from 8 p.m. to 5 a.m.

“Kato siya paghangyo nila nako 'kap, tabangi mi kap bi nga di lang mada sa Station 2 ang katong gidakop.' Public servant man sad tawon ta, opisyal man ta, di gihangyo lang pud nako ang katong nagdakop na tanod (I was asked to help stop those accosted for violating curfew not to be brought to the police station. Since I am a public official, I obliged),” said Monares.

“Wa jud koy dautang (tuyo). Tarong akong pag-istorya sa katong mga tanod. Gitarong nako tong polis nga nagkuyog, akong gitarong og hangyo (I had no ill motives. I spoke to the tanods properly. I also plead to the policeman respectfully),” he said.

As seen in the video posted on social media, the barangay captain called a certain “Major” when cornered by patrolling policemen.

“Nangayo ko ato og advice ba. Nangayo kog advice unsa may buhaton ani nga kaning gi-hold nila nya niingon siya nga 'kap, kana siya balaod gyud na. Dili ko ana makakuan',” said Monares.

Mayor Edgardo Labella, for his part, said he already directed City Legal Officer Rey Gealon to pursue with the investigation and "let the heavens fall."

“Public officials are supposed to be modest because how could you lead if you cannot set the example,” said Labella.

Labella said the investigation is already being conducted so he would rather not comment further.

Police Probe

Cebu City Police Office (CCPO) will also conduct an investigation on the responding officers for their failure to arrest Monares.

CCPO Director Colonel Hector Grijaldo said that after hearing the side of the concerned policemen, it will be assessed if there is cause to file a case of neglect of duty against them.

“Ang proper channeling there is the station commander will be the one to let his officer explain kasi siya yung direct officer,” Grijaldo said. “And after that, they will be endorsing to us if they will be charged.”

Police Brigadier General Albert Ignatius Ferro, Police Regional Office-7 director, also promised to look into the matter.

Meanwhile, Major Elisandro Quijano, Abellana Police Station chief, has denied that he was the person Monares was talking with over the phone in the video that made rounds online.

Quijano added that he does not personally know the barangay captain.

Health Protocols

In a separate development, the Department of the Interior and Local Government-7 has called on barangay officials to ensure that health protocols are in place and lead in the strict enforcement of home quarantine measures and policies.

DILG-7 Director Leocadio Trovela said that barangay officials, especially punong barangays, should be at the forefront of the implementation of the quarantine guidelines in their communities to avert further transmission of the dreaded COVID-19.

He noted that public gatherings and other activities involving participation of numerous people are already prohibited this time. Barangay activities have also been suspended to allow local officials to focus on addressing COVID-19.

“Let me take this opportunity to remind once again all barangay officials of their critical role amid this crisis we are confronting today. Barangay officials should be in the frontline and ensure the strict implementation of the lawful orders at their level. They should also ensure that the citizens are practicing proper quarantine and social distancing measures. They should lead by example,” he said.

“We are serious on this effort and failure of the barangay officials to exercise their duties and functions may lead to legal repercussions,” he added.

Lawyer Ian Kenneth Lucero, chief of DILG-7 Local Governance Monitoring and Evaluation Division, for his part, reminded the mayors of their supervisory authority over barangays.

“We may also remind the mayors of their supervisory authority over component barangays as laid down in Section 32 of RA 7160 to ensure that said barangays act within the scope of the prescribed powers and functions,” he said.  JMD (FREEMAN)