TALAVERA, Nueva Ecija — Six persons, including a senior citizen, were arrested for alleged violation of quarantine protocols in drinking liquor in a public place in Baragay Sibul here at around 3:40 p.m. Sunday.
Town police chief Lt. Col. Alexie Desamito identified the suspects as Ricardo Francisco, 62, a farmer from Barangay San Vicente, Llanera; Giliver Pagtalunan, 29, of Marilo, Gapan City; Orlando Bernabe, 45, beautician from Mayapyap Sur, Cabanatuan City; Florante Balbin, 43; Maricel Rauza, 38, and Andy Simon, 30, all of Sibul here.
Desamito said the suspects were caught in a drinking spree after police responded to a report that one of them pointed a pistol against farmer Michael Ferrer, 34, resident of Barangay Caputican this municipality.
The responding policemen explained the group’s violation of protocols and guidelines under the general community quarantine but “they (suspects) even argued and uttered unsavory remarks against the lawmen,” investigation showed.
This prompted authorities to arrest them.
General community quarantine imposed by the inter-agency task force against coronavirus disease provides social distancing among people and prohibits drinking of liquor in public place, among other measures.
In the course of investigation, Desamito said, police recovered a .45 pistol with seven bullets from Pangilinan.
A string of criminal cases was being filed against the suspects who are now detained at the police detention facility here.
