Roque, Pacquiao cleared of quarantine violations

Investigators cleared both Palace spokesman Harry Roque Jr. and Sen. Manny Pacquiao of quarantine violations of health and safety protocols when they attended their respective public events.

Interior Secretary Eduardo M. Año ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate the two officials’ alleged violation of protocols during the events they attended. Pacquiao visited Agoncillo, Batangas on November 26, 2020, while Roque went to Bantayan Island, Cebu on November 27, 2020.

ADVERTISEMENT

“We have received the PNP’s investigation report, and this is currently under review by our DILG Legal Service,” said Año.

In the report, PNP said no COVID-19 case was recorded before and after Pacquiao went to Agoncillo, Batangas.

“The PNP report says that the local government officials of Agoncillo, Batangas ensured that health protocols such as wearing of face mask and face shield and the adherence to social distancing requirements were strictly observed during Pacquiao’s distribution of relief goods to those affected by the Taal Volcano eruption and the pandemic. The seats in the activity were also arranged to ensure that social distancing was observed. The LGU also distributed face masks and face shields,” he said.

ADVERTISEMENT

PNP said those who attended the event violated physical distancing briefly when Pacquiao went down the stage but returned immediately to the stage during his speech.

“The senator and the local government officials then decided to cut short the event and advised the crowd to go home,” he said.

Also read: Police officer who killed mother and son in Tarlac surrenders

ADVERTISEMENT

Roque, Pacquiao cleared of quarantine violations

Meanwhile, Police Regional Office 7’s report revealed that there was no increase in the number of COVID-19 cases after Roque visited Bantayan, Cebu.

“Unfortunately, rainfall ensued, causing the audience to scamper to take shelter, thereby breaching physical distancing protocols,” he said.

However, the police said Roque and local government officials managed to control the crowd by advising the audience to return home and leave the venue.

“The findings of the PNP are currently under review. We assure the public that the Department will continue to remind both national LGU officials to abide with the health protocols to prevent further transmission of the virus,” he said.