‘WRONG MOVE’: Drunken incidents prompt mayor to re-impose liquor ban

By Emme Rose Santiagudo and Jennifer P. Rendon

The celebration on the lifting of the ban on the sale of liquor and alcoholic beverages on Tuesday amid the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Iloilo City did not last long after Mayor Jerry Treñas re-imposed the prohibition the following day.

Treñas said he decided to re-impose the liquor ban following drunken incidents and violations of ECQ rules hours after it was lifted.

“We thought kon may ara restrictions nga ara ka lang sa balay, kag indi pwede mag-inom sa public, akon napinsar waay may maabusar. Unfortunately, kadamo sang incidents, may nagma-oy kag iban nagbato sa pulis. Damo man wala nag-practice sang physical distancing and wala pagsuksok sang face masks,’’ he said in a press conference on Wednesday.

Treñas issued Executive Order No. 66 on Tuesday amending Section 12 of EO No. 55 to allow the selling of liquor and alcoholic beverages.

The lifting of the liquor ban was subject to a set of restrictions such as drinking in public of the said beverages shall be prohibited, and social distancing measures shall be observed at all times if and when alcoholic beverages are consumed.

The order also reiterated that the prohibition on mass gatherings such as fiestas, celebrations, and other similar activities shall be in full effect.

Treñas said he also does not want to add to the burdens of the police and other security personnel who are overseeing measures against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

“In view of the various incidents due to intoxicated persons, and in view of the many other important activities undertaken by our security personnel and upon the advice coming from various sectors, I am reimposing the ban on the sale of alcoholic drinks. Ang police naton na kadamo sang gina-atipan, gindugangan pa ila. It is very unfortunate but we really have to do it,” he lamented.

 

INCIDENTS

The Iloilo City Police Office (ICPO) recorded four drunkenness-related incidents hours after the liquor ban was lifted.

All incidents happened in Jaro, Iloilo City in two hours, ICPO records indicated.

The first incident happened around 9 p.m. at Zone 1, Barangay Balabago.

Isidro Celeste allegedly argued with Norberto Celeste.

At the height of their argument, the knife-wielding Isidro chased Norberto.

The latter then sought help from village officials.

When Barangay tanod Joebert Henarios responded, Isidro allegedly tried to stab him but missed.

Police noted that the suspect had no quarantine pass and was not wearing a face mask when the incident happened.

He will be charged for threat, attempted homicide, and violations of Executive Order Nos. 063-A and No.60 which imposed community quarantine rules.

Thirty minutes later, police collared Jodel Gulfo, 35, of Barangay Ungka 1, Pavia, Iloilo, at a checkpoint near the Ungka Terminal in Ungka, Jaro district.

Gulfo will be charged for disobedience to lawful order, direct assault, and violations of EO Nos. 063-A and 60.

Patrolman John Mark Cornelio, a member of Jaro Police Station, arrested Gulfo after the latter deliberately rammed his car into the checkpoint barrier.

He hit a rope barrier tied to a disinfecting device, which was destroyed.

Gulfo allegedly hurled invectives at police officers and Army personnel who arrested him. Worse, he failed to bring his quarantine pass and was not wearing any face mask.

Meanwhile, Romy Galila was arrested 10:15 p.m. at Miramar Subdivision in Barangay San Isidro.

The seemingly drunk Galila also created alarm and scandal. He also had no quarantine pass and was not wearing a face mask.

He will be charged for alarm and scandal and violations of EO Nos. 063-A.

Just like Galila, Alex Bugna was also arrested for the same violations at around 11 p.m. Tuesday at Barangay Lanit. He will also be facing similar charges.

 

WRONG DECISION

Treñas mayor admitted that he might have made a wrong decision when he lifted the ban but he reiterated that he won’t compromise the situation in the city.

“I must admit. I am human and I make wrong decisions all the time. We will make wrong decisions but ang importante, we come up right away with a better decision. I would rather be attacked for coming out of the order than compromising the situation of the city,” he said.

According to Treñas, the city government plans to regulate the sale of alcohol even after the gradual lifting of the expanded ECQ.

“Magbalik kita, siguro i-limit man naton ang pagbakal ta sang alcoholic drinks parehas bala sa rubbing alcohol,” he said.

Meanwhile, Treñas tasked the barangay officials and the Business Permit and Licensing Office (BPLO) to monitor the prices of liquor following reports of overpricing on the sale of alcoholic drinks in the metro.

“Nabal-an ko may nagbaligya sa black market nga sobra ka mahal ang presyo. I will be tasking barangay captains and BPLO. We will be very strict on this,” he said.