Brgy. chairman crosses checkpoint to buy alcohol amid liquor ban

Police arrested a barangay captain after he crossed the checkpoint border to buy alcohol in Alaminos, Laguna, amid liquor ban. But the suspect said he only bought pineapple juice.

In John Consulta’s report on GMA News “24 Oras” on Thursday, authorities said they caught Lucio Trecesito, chairman of Barangay San Roque in San Pablo, in the act of carrying bottles of liquor that he bought in a minimart.

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But the captain explained, “Ang nabili ko po ay pineapple juice, gawa ng mainit, bumili ako ng juice.” (I just bought pineapple juice because it is too hot, I bought juice.)

But Police Captain Jollymar Seloterio, Chief of Police, Alaminos, said Trecesito came out of the store carrying an eco-bag containing alcohol and there he was arrested.

“Baka po panlasa niya dito (sa alak) pineapple juice ito, pero alak po ito,” said Seloterio.

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The store staff admitted to selling liquor despite a liquor ban but insisted it was the barangay captain’s fault if he bought it.

“Sa amin talaga ‘yan, aaminin ko, ayaw kong magsinungaling sa inyo. Ayun ang kasalanan niya na bumili siya ng alak, alam niyang kapitan siya eh. Kargo niya ‘yon,” the staff said.

(It’s ours, I admit, I don’t like to lie with you. But he at fault that he bought alcohol, he knows he is a captain. It’s on him.)

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Meanwhile, authorities arrested a drunk policeman who fired a gun in the middle of the curfew.

According to police, the two companions of the policeman were also intoxicated when the authorities apprehended them.

Both the captain and the police were charged with violating the liquor ban and the Bayanihan We Heal As One Act.

“Nakakalungkot dahil ‘yung mga dapat kapanalig natin sa pagpapatupad ng batas ay sila pang nangunguna sa paglabag ng mga patakaran natin sa enhanced community quarantine. Barangay official ka man o kabaro namin na nagpapatupad ng batas wala tayong sisinuhin at tiyak na mapaparusahan,” said Police Colonel Serafin Petalio II.

(It is sad that those we expect to join us in implementing the law are the ones who lead in violating the rules of enhanced community quarantine. Whether you are a barangay official or a fellow law enforcement officer, we will spare no one, and you will surely be punished.)