By NG Seruela
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ordered the police on Wednesday (May 26) to arrest barangay officials who fail to implement the ban against mass gatherings.
In the President’s weekly address, he directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) to “arrest and investigate for dereliction of duty” barangay officials who fail to implement the ban, following the occurrence of COVID-19 superspreader events such as the violation of health protocols in Gubat Sa Ciudad Resort in Caloocan City and the pool party in Quezon City.
The President said under the Revised Penal Code, the barangay captains would have committed “a crime of dereliction of duty” for letting mass gatherings in their area occur.
“Iyong barangay captain, if you are really worth your status there, kung ayaw ninyo, umalis kayo kasi ‘pag ulit ito — ‘pag may isa pa, beginning tonight, ‘pag may isa pa, ang unang hulihin ang barangay captain,” he said.
“I’m ordering the police to arrest the barangay captain and bring him to the station, investigate him for being a derelict, of dereliction of duty having failed to enforce the law.”
He appealed to the barangay captains to understand that it is their “duty to prevent this kind of events happening in your jurisdiction.”
“I do not have to remind you that if there are violations of law or if there is something which is detrimental to society and to the people, do something about it or else I will arrest you. Kayong mga barangay captain, remember, beginning tonight, ‘pag mayroon pa, the police are put on notice that they are supposed to arrest. It’s a valid one. Huwag kayong matakot na mag-aresto ng barangay captain.” -jlo
