113 arrested in Makati bar freed

MANILA, Philippines — A total of 113 people arrested for supposedly violating general community quarantine (GCQ) measures at a bar in Makati City on Sunday were released last night.

Among those released were television host KC Montero, his wife and 12 foreigners.

Makati police chief Col. Oscar Jacildo said the city prosecutor’s office issued a release order after it dismissed the charges of resistance and disobedience to persons in authority and violating a city executive order on physical distancing.

The prosecutor’s office set the charge of violating Republic Act 11332, the law on the mandatory reporting of notifiable disease and health events of public concern, for further investigation.

The preliminary investigation is set on July 7, Jacildo said.

Meanwhile, city government spokesman Michael Camina said Skye Bar in Barangay Bel-Air was closed down after it was found to be “illegally operating and violating laws and protocols aimed to stop the spread” of coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19, specifically social distancing and drinking liquor.

“We strongly remind owners of bars in Makati City that they are not allowed to operate under current (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) guidelines, and that the city government requires all business establishments to submit a notice of reopening to the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office within three days after reopening,” the spokesman said.

National Capital Region Police Office chief Maj. Gen. Debold Sinas, in a press briefing at Camp Karingal yesterday, asked police chiefs to look for bigger detention centers to place arrested GCQ violators to prevent a mass gathering in police stations.

Those who were arrested in Makati were brought to a gym in Guadalupe Nuevo to ensure social distancing, officials said.