A restobar in Novaliches, Quezon City (QC) was caught violating multiple quarantine protocols in an operation that led to the apprehension of 10 employees and 19 customers, including a minor, on Friday evening (July 17).
Rannie Ludovica, head of QC Task Force Disiplina, said the apprehended individuals were turned over to the police following the operation and underwent online inquest proceedings.
He added that his office will also recommend a closure order against the establishment on Monday (July 20
According to Ludovica, several personnel from his office and from the QC Police District launched an operation after he received a report from a concerned citizen that Karosa Restobar on Quirino Avenue "was operating without observing health protocols."
"So nag-dispatch ako ng team na sinurveillance namin at nagpanggap na customer doon sa restobar (So I dispatched a team to conduct surveillance while posing as a customer there)," he said in a phone interview. "Supposed to be kasi, under our city ordinance, 'yung 'enabling localized quarantine' na ordinansa ng Quezon City, eh bawal pa sila (Supposedly, under our city ordinance, the 'enabling localized quarantine' ordinance of Quezon City, they are not allowed to operate yet)."
Ludovica said they found that the establishment was operating as a bar and not as a restaurant, which is still prohibited in areas under general community quarantine (GCQ).
"Nakita namin, ang mga order, walang pagkain, puro beer at saka pulutan. So talagang nag-o-operate sila as a bar (We saw that the orders weren't food, just beer and snacks. So, they really were operating as a bar)," he said.
Ludovico added that not only were the establishment's staff not wearing protective gear such as face masks and gloves, the restobar also committed the violation of accepting minors.
"Nagpapasok sila ng minor, merong 17 years old at merong 19. Yung 19, violation na naman 'yun sa guidelines natin sa GCQ (They accepted minors, aged 17 and 19, which is a violation of our local guidelines under GCQ)," he said, referring to the city's ordinance which prohibits the selling of alcoholic beverages to those belowe 21 years old.
"Pero 'yung minor, 'yun 'yung mabigat. Seventeen years old 'yun na umiinom ng alcohol. Serving alcohol sa minor ay matinding violation (About the minor, that's more serious. That was a 17-year-old drinking alcohol. Serving alcohol to a minor is a severe violation)," he added.
Ludovico said the owner of the restobar remains at large, although their name has been included among those who have been charged.