Quezon town cop chief relieved over quarantine breach

CAMP VICENTE LIM, Laguna, Philippines — The police chief of Dolores town in Quezon has been relieved from his post for allegedly allowing a social gathering.

Capt. Joseph Ian Java was replaced by Lt. Almario dela Rosa pending an investigation into the incident, according to Brig. Gen. Felipe Natividad, Calabarzon police director.

Java reportedly hosted a drinking spree on Dec. 19.

Natividad did not give details even as he reminded his men to set an example by complying with the health protocols set by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

He reiterated the need to ensure that social gatherings, parties and other similar activities, especially during the Christmas holidays, are prevented to contain the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19.

As this developed, in Cagayan, three barangay officials and 17 villagers were arested for violating quarantine protocols on Tuesday.

Police said Crisanta Lea?o, 63, chairman of Barangay Cabbagan in Pamplona, was caught playing card games during a wake.

Leaño and two others were charged for illegal gambling and not observing physical distancing.

In Camalaniugan town, barangay kagawad Alma Salmo, 43, and Sangguniang Kabataan chairperson Erica Dumbrique, 21, and 15 residents were arrested for quarantine violations.

Town police chief Capt. Aleeh Bacuyag said the villagers were riding a tractor on their way home from a gift-giving event when the vehicle was pulled over at a checkpoint in Barangay Bulala.

In Davao City, Mayor Sara Duterte-Carpio warned 14 city hall employees caught for violation of the liquor ban.

The 14 from the city engineering office were caught drinking liquor at the motor pool compound in Barangay Ma-a.

Carpio said the ban on drinking liquor and holding Christmas parties remains in effect while the city is under general community quarantine until the end of the month. – Emmanuel Tupas, Raymund Catindig, Edith Regalado