Police investigate more than 2,000 people who bathe in the river in Barangay Matictic in Norzagaray town, Bulacan.
According to Police. Col. Lawrence Cajipe, director of the Bulacan Police Provincial Office, people flooded the Bakas River this Sunday despite the COVID-19 pandemic.
The police booked about 75 people for bathing in the river while hundreds of others were sent home. Most of those who went to Bakas River did not wear face masks.
Police are also investigating the alleged charges by barangay officials for bathing in the river.
“Napag-alaman po natin na ‘yong barangay officials instead magbawal ay naningil pa ng entrance papasok doon sa ilog na ito,” Cajipe said in an interview with Teleradyo on Monday.
(We found out from the barangay officials that instead of banning it, they charged for entrance to this river.)
Under general community quarantine, outdoor tourist attractions are allowed to operate at 30 percent capacity.
Bulacan is under “GCQ with heightened restrictions” until May 31.
Over 2,000 people bathed in river in Bulacan
Meanwhile, 54 residents tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a Barangay Nagkaisang Nayon, Quezon City pool party.
A show-cause order has been issued to the barangay chairman of Nagkaisang Nayon due to the incident, according to Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte.
In an interview with Teleradyo on Monday, the mayor said they had just discovered that there was a pool party after someone tested positive for COVID-19 on May 11.
“Sa pagka-conduct nila ng interviews sa taumbayan, saka pa lang nila nalaman na nagkaroon pala ng 3-day fiesta celebration from May 9 to May 11,” she said.
“Nagkaroon ng improvised pool party. Merong diskuhan, may sayawan, may inuman, may videoke. Kompleto po at walang nagsusuot ng masks.”
Belmonte added that a fire truck in the area allegedly put water in the inflatable pool. The drinking also allegedly took place in the covered court.
Based on the City Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance Unit report, about 610 residents were swabbed for COVID-19, of which 18 are awaiting the result. Meanwhile, 31 were sent to the city’s quarantine facility.
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