The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Sunday (May 30) cleared Councilor Franz Pumaren of any safety health protocol violation regarding the community pantry he organized in Barangay Old Balara last Tuesday following a probe into the event.
According to the report submitted by Batasan Police Station 6, Pumaren coordinated properly with the concerned government agencies and sought assistance to ensure smooth traffic flow and implementation of safety protocols.
The QCPD said in their report that around 97 people, including 11 policemen and 50 staff members, were present to ensure that the appropriate safety health protocols were followed.
Despite attracting more than 6,000 residents, safety protocols, such as wearing of face masks and face shields, and social distancing, were strictly implemented, QCPD noted.
“Considering the number of persons in the area, it would seem like there was a violation of social distancing if pictures or videos were taken,” the report said.
“However, if there were violators, they were immediately accosted and informed of their violation,” the report added.
The event ended at around 9:00 p.m. with no health incident or problem reported, QCPD said.
Mayor Joy Belmonte earlier issued a show-cause order to Pumaren, the Majority Floor Leader of the Quezon City Council, to explain his side on the matter.
The 72-hour deadline will end tomorrow.
The city government, in a statement, said Belmonte’s move “is consistent with the city government’s policy of going after violators of established health and safety protocols as well as to hold them accountable for their actions, regardless of status or position.”
Belmonte reiterated her warning to Quezon City residents, including officials, that they will be prosecuted, without fear or favor, if they violate health regulations and endanger the safety of residents.
Meanwhile, QCPD Chief Gen. Antonio Yarra informed Belmonte that the police is wrapping up its investigation into the alleged health protocol violations committed during actress and philanthropist Angel Locsin’s community pantry event.
“We are close to finishing up the gathering of evidence and testimonies regarding the event, and may recommend appropriate charges if warranted,” Yarra said.
The QCPD has identified the organizers of the pantry, all of whom will be issued with ordinance violation receipts for violating the city’s ordinances on minimum health protocols.
According to the QCPD, the family of senior citizen Rolando Cruz, who died while at Locsin’s pantry event, has refused to file criminal charges against Locsin. Report from Allan Francisco/PG-jlo
