Pantry fatality’s family won’t file charges vs Angel Locsin

THE president of the Phase 3 homeowners association in Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon wherein pool parties and drinking sprees were held in public, has been charged before the Quezon City Prosecutor’s Office for violation of health protocols.

Charged with violation of Republic Act 11332 or the “Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act” was Juancho “Johnny” Ysores.

Based on the report of the city’s epidemiology and surveillance unit (CESU), 55 residents who attended the public pool parties and drinking sprees held on May 9 and 11 respectively in said barangay, have tested positive for COVID-19.

The city’s Legal Department is still evaluating the reply of Bgy. Nagkaisang Nayon chairman Feliciano dela Cruz to the show-case order issued by Mayor Joy Belmonte for possible liability.

Meanwhile, the QC Police District (QCPD) cleared Councilor Franz Pumaren of any safety health protocol violation in connection with the community pantry that he organized in Barangay Old Balara last week.

A report submitted by Batasan Police Station 6 to Belmonte said that Pumaren made the proper coordination with concerned government agencies, such as the QCPD, Batasan Police Station 6 and the office of Old Balara chairman Allan Franza and sought assistance to ensure smooth traffic flow and implementation of safety health protocols.

The QCPD further reported that at least 97 people, including 11 policemen and 50 staff members from the office of Pumaren, manned the area to ensure that proper safety health protocols were followed.

While the community pantry attracted more than 6,000 residents of the said barangay, the QCPD noted that safety health protocols, such as wearing of face masks, face shield and social distancing, were strictly implemented.

“Considering the number of persons in the area, it would seem like there was a violation of social distancing if pictures or videos were taken,” the report said.

“However, if there were violators, they were immediately accosted and informed of their violation,” it added.

The QCPD said the activity ended up orderly and peacefully around 9 p.m., with no health incident or problem reported.

Earlier, Belmonte issued a show-cause order to Pumaren, also the mjority floorleader of the city council, to explain his side on the matter. The 72-hour deadline ends today.

In another incident, QCPD Chief Gen. Antonio Yarra reported to Belmonte that they are now wrapping up their own probe on the alleged health protocol violations during the community pantry of actress and philanthropist Angel Locsin.

“We are close to finishing up the gathering of evidence and testimonies regarding the event, and may recommend appropriate charges if warranted,” Gen. Yarra said.

The QCPD already identified the organizers of the pantry, all of which will be issued with Ordinance Violation Receipts (OVR) for violating the city’s ordinances on minimum health protocols.

According to the, QCPD, the family of senior citizen Rolando Cruz, however, refused to file criminal charges against Locsin.