DILG hits leftist group for attempts to stage illegal rally during ECQ
Published Apr 20, 2020 12:00 am
By Chito Chavez
The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Monday deplored leftist group Anakpawis for violating the Luzon-wide Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) as its members disregarded the “stay at home’’ rule and trooped to Norzagaray, Bulacan from Metro Manila in an attempt to stage an illegal rally in the guise of distributing relief goods.
DILG undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya
(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the group broke the law by disregarding the ECQ. He said people are allowed to go out of their residence only to purchase food, medicines, or for medical emergencies. Malaya said the group’s act was obviously a “propaganda stunt’’ that will put the lives of the people in Bulacan in extreme danger. He reminded the public that the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) can infect anyoneand this is why the ECQ guidelines should be strictly followed. Malaya admitted that the group passed through the checkpoints by using an unauthorized food pass and name dropping former Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao. “Nag name-drop pa sila ng ex-party-list congressman pero buti na lang nasabat sila sa isang checkpoint sa Bigte, Norzagaray, Bulacan,” he said. (They even had the gall to use the ex-party-list congressman’s name. Fortunately they were apprehended in a checkpoint in Bigte, Norzagaray Bulacan). “We wish to remind Anakpawis that the virus cannot spread by itself. It has no legs. It is people that spread the virus. You give us no choice but to file charges against you,’’ he added. Malaya said authorities never give preferential treatment even if you name drop a congressman. All violators will be charged. At about 11 a.m. on Sunday, elements of the Norzagaray PNP flagged down a green jeepney with plate number ZHN 869 with six persons on board at the PNP Quarantine checkpoint. Among those arrested for violating the quarantine are Karl Mae San Juan of Project 6, Quezon City, Marlon Lester Gueta of Barangay 172, 1422, Caloocan City, Robero Medel of Kamias, Quezon City, Eriberto Peña Jr. of San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan, Raymar Guaves of Bahay Toro, Project 8, Quezon City, and Tobi Estrada of Malingap St., Quezon City. Malaya said police investigation revealed that the true purpose of the unauthorized travel outside of Metro Manila was to conduct a mass gathering in the form of a teach-in or propaganda work against the government because numerous tarpaulins, pamphlets, and propaganda materials were found inside the jeepney. The 50 packs of relief goods found in the jeepney were turned over to the Barangay Captain of Bigte while the propaganda materials were confiscated and will be presented as evidence in the court proceedings. “Anakpawis will have their day in court. The DILG assures them of due process. Sa korte na sila magpaliwanag,” Malaya said. Malaya said “that the six will be charged for violation of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act and subjected to inquest proceedings for violation of Section 9, Art. 1132 (Non-cooperation of persons), Art. 151 (resistance and disobedience to a person in authority) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to IATF directive dated April 2, 2020 and Department of Health's Department Order No. 2020-0090 and Executive Order No. 922, Sec. 4 (all citizen are urged to act within the bounds of law).” The DILG official added that Casilao will also be charged for usurpation of authority under Art. 177 of the Revised Penal Code.
DILG undersecretary and spokesman Jonathan Malaya(PCOO / MANILA BULLETIN) DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said the group broke the law by disregarding the ECQ. He said people are allowed to go out of their residence only to purchase food, medicines, or for medical emergencies. Malaya said the group’s act was obviously a “propaganda stunt’’ that will put the lives of the people in Bulacan in extreme danger. He reminded the public that the novel coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) can infect anyoneand this is why the ECQ guidelines should be strictly followed. Malaya admitted that the group passed through the checkpoints by using an unauthorized food pass and name dropping former Anakpawis party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao. “Nag name-drop pa sila ng ex-party-list congressman pero buti na lang nasabat sila sa isang checkpoint sa Bigte, Norzagaray, Bulacan,” he said. (They even had the gall to use the ex-party-list congressman’s name. Fortunately they were apprehended in a checkpoint in Bigte, Norzagaray Bulacan). “We wish to remind Anakpawis that the virus cannot spread by itself. It has no legs. It is people that spread the virus. You give us no choice but to file charges against you,’’ he added. Malaya said authorities never give preferential treatment even if you name drop a congressman. All violators will be charged. At about 11 a.m. on Sunday, elements of the Norzagaray PNP flagged down a green jeepney with plate number ZHN 869 with six persons on board at the PNP Quarantine checkpoint. Among those arrested for violating the quarantine are Karl Mae San Juan of Project 6, Quezon City, Marlon Lester Gueta of Barangay 172, 1422, Caloocan City, Robero Medel of Kamias, Quezon City, Eriberto Peña Jr. of San Jose Del Monte City, Bulacan, Raymar Guaves of Bahay Toro, Project 8, Quezon City, and Tobi Estrada of Malingap St., Quezon City. Malaya said police investigation revealed that the true purpose of the unauthorized travel outside of Metro Manila was to conduct a mass gathering in the form of a teach-in or propaganda work against the government because numerous tarpaulins, pamphlets, and propaganda materials were found inside the jeepney. The 50 packs of relief goods found in the jeepney were turned over to the Barangay Captain of Bigte while the propaganda materials were confiscated and will be presented as evidence in the court proceedings. “Anakpawis will have their day in court. The DILG assures them of due process. Sa korte na sila magpaliwanag,” Malaya said. Malaya said “that the six will be charged for violation of the Bayanihan to Heal As One Act and subjected to inquest proceedings for violation of Section 9, Art. 1132 (Non-cooperation of persons), Art. 151 (resistance and disobedience to a person in authority) of the Revised Penal Code in relation to IATF directive dated April 2, 2020 and Department of Health's Department Order No. 2020-0090 and Executive Order No. 922, Sec. 4 (all citizen are urged to act within the bounds of law).” The DILG official added that Casilao will also be charged for usurpation of authority under Art. 177 of the Revised Penal Code.