Protocol, curfew violators rounded up

CEBU, Philippines —  The Cebu City police have conducted another wave of Oplan Bulabog against Verified Lounge, a bar located in Barangay Luz where customers were caught violating the minimum health standard protocols Sunday midnight.

The Cebu City Police Office - Intelligence Unit chief, Police Lt. Colonel Randy Caballes, said the operation was stemmed after the office received reports for several days that the said bar has been violating the social distancing protocol and operating beyond the curfew hours.

The said bar was believed to be for high-profile and very important personage (VIP) which entry will be based on online booking system.

During the operation, at least 122 customers were being held by the police along with the personnel of Prevention, Restoration, Order, Beautification and Enhancement (PROBE) Team.

"Puno gyud kaayo, overcrowded gyud kaayo ang area," Caballes told reporters.

"Ang report nga magsigeg tawag sa office ni CD (city director), kini nga bar sayo ni sila mag-open until 3 a.m., 2 a.m, then grabe kaayo silag dawat og customers wala na gi-follow ang 50 percent (capacity), ang ilaha full package gyud, puno gyud," he added.

The bar was located in a rooftop of a building located in Barangay Luz which has been operating for long.

According to Caballes, a concern citizen has been calling the CCPO for two weeks already to report which prompted them to place the bar under validation.

"By booking (entry of the bar) so dili ka makasulod kung wala ka naka-book then mostly mga VIPs ang makasulod lang," Caballes said.

The police will now be making a report that will be submitted to the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) which will decide on the sanctions that the establishment will possibly be facing.

Caballes revealed that aside from the said bar, there are still several establishments which violated the standard health protocols that CCPO has been receiving reports with.

Since the police have the capability to recommend further action against the establishment, Caballes said they will be possibly recommending closure against them.

Over this, Caballes said the community's participation will play a vital role on their operations by initiating to report to the police just like what has been happening the previous operations.

"Hopefully mo-cooperate sila sa mga pulis if naa silay makita nga mga bars nga nag-open beyond sa curfew hours and makita nila nga daghan og violation, pwede nila ma-report sa nearest police station para maaksyonan," he said.

Cebu City Councilor Joel Garganera, head of the Emergency Operations Center, in a statement released to the media said the management will be served with a show cause order.

"But automatically their permit to serve liquor will be suspended pending investigation. Considering the gravity of their blatant violations of our existing EO’s, we might endorse for the revocation of their liquor permit," said Garganera.

He added this will serve as a lesson to all who disregard the minimum health standard protocols during pandemic.

PROBE Team chief Raquel Arce sought the help of the City Treasurer's Office to assist in collecting fines.

"I hope masabtan nila among trabaho. I hope dili na masundan ug wala na untay masundan na pareha ani nga incident," Arce said.

Several establishments such as clubs have been served with show-cause order for violating the minimum health standard protocols after the lifting of the liquor ban in the city.

The city also does not allow clubs to operate as per ordinance passed against the Covid-19 pandemic.

In order to operate such clubs in the health crisis time, club owners need to secure a special permit from the EOC signifying that the club owners had undergone training with regards to handling customers and following the health protocols.

The BPLO and EOC will also be the one to determine the standard capacity needs to be followed.

According to the CCPO, first offense would be warning, second would be a recommendation for closure if club owners continue to refuse to implement the ordinance in the city. — Dominic I. Dilao, UV Intern, GMR (FREEMAN)