Police swooped down on a Makati City bar and arrested 40 partygoers, five of them German diplomats, after they were caught drinking liquor in public without observing social distancing and not wearing face masks Friday night.
The Kartel Rooftop Bar in Barangay Poblacion was raided by the policemen after they received a report from the Mayor's Office about individuals violating local ordinances and health protocols inside the nightspot. There they spotted the five diplomats and the 35 other partygoers drinking liquor, without observing social distancing and not wearing face masks. They were immediately arrested and taken to the Makati Central Police Station in Barangay San Antonio for verification and issuance and citation tickets.
Members of the Makati Public Safety Department (PSD) issued the citation tickets.
The five German diplomats, whose names were not immediately made available, insisted they could not be arrested and given citation tickets as they have diplomatic immunity. Nevertheless, members of the Makati PSD still issued them citation tickets for their violations, saying they are not immune to such.
One of the partygoers, on the other hand, resisted arrest, tried to pick a fight with policemen. He even dropped names of local politicians, claiming he has close ties with them. He kept on arguing with policemen in front of the police station.
Makati City Ordinance No. 2020-152 prohibits drinking liquor outside one’s residence in Makati City during the imposition of state of calamity due to the public health emergency brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. It took effect last July 14.
Police also obtained a video showing the partygoers in a drinking binge while not wearing face masks, and not observing social distancing at the bar.