Seventeen Chinese nationals were apprehended inside a bar in Makati City Friday (Nov. 20) for violating the curfew imposed by the local government to protect the public from the dreaded coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Major Tyronne Valenzona, Makati Police Assistant Chief of Police for Operations (ACOPO), said the foreigners were drinking inside the Xiaolongkhan Restobar located in Barangay Pio Del Pilar, Makati at 12:30 a.m.
"The Chinese national were all inebriated. Imagine, it is already 12:30 and they are still drinking liquor," he said.
"This is a clear violation of the city's curfew ordinance only allowing such establishment to operate until 12 a.m.," Valenzona added.
Captain Danilo Oamil, Makati Police Investigation Unit chief, said the foreigners were also not observing physical distancing inside the bar.
The Makati Public Safety Department (PSD) issued P1, 000 citation tickets to each of the arrested foreigners.
"They were set free after getting citation tickets and stern warning from us. The bar owner and the manager were also given a stern warning," said Valenzona.
The police operation stemmed from a tip that the bar was operating even during curfew hours, Valenzona said.
"We conducted a surveillance for two weeks and we confirmed that they were operating until 3 a.m. Most of their customers are Chinese nationals," he said.
As of November 19, Makati City has recorded 233 active COVID-19 cases.