Around 2,000 to 3,000 people went for a swim in Bakas River in Matictic, Norzagaray, Bulacan on Sunday (May 24) breaching the health protocols under general community quarantine (GCQ) with heightened restrictions.
According to Bulacan Police Provincial Office Director Police Colonel Lawrence Caipe, the authorities immediately responded to the area along with the Bulacan 2nd Provincial Mobile Force Company. Upon their arrival, they saw Norzagaray Barangay Chairperson Alfredo Germar ordering the guests to go home.
The initial investigation showed that three entrances to the river were opened by barangay officials who asked for an entrance fee of ₱20 per person.
Some 75 individuals were given a provincial citation ticket for their violation of the minimum health standard protocols of the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Management of the Emerging Infectious Diseases.
(PTV News)/NGS-jlo