CEBU CITY —The owners of the shoe shop that held a “super sale” may face criminal charges after the store activity led to a large gathering of people.

          Police Col. Josefino Ligan, chief of the Cebu City Police Office, said the owners of JS Footwear in Barangay Lahug may be charged for violating Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code.

          “We are contemplating on filing a case. What they did was disobedience in relation to the Executive Order of the city government. We have coordinated already with the city prosecutor relative to this endeavor,” Ligan said.

          City Mayor Edgardo Labella has issued an EO that prohibits mass gathering to prevent the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

          Ligan said the store owners, couple Jhustine and Eden Grace Cabor, could have coordinated with proper authorities to avoid violation of the health minimum protocols.

          Last Wednesday morning, at least 1,000 people gathered outside the store without observing the physical distancing protocol. Hanged outside the store was a tarpaulin with markings “super sale, 3 for P998.”

          It took a number of policemen and barangay tanods to disperse the customers. The store was later padlocked after the city government ordered to have the establishment indefinitely closed.

          The sale was held in time for the store’s grand opening but authorities found out that its permit was still being processed.

          Ma. Regina Verame, senior trade and industry development specialist of the Department of Trade and Industry-Cebu, said the store owners also committed a violation when they didn’t apply for sales promotion permit during the “super sale.”

           “We issued them a notice of violation and it’s up to our mediation officer to determine the sanction. Stores, big or small, are required to secure a permit when holding sales promo,” said Verame.