“Rules are rules.”
Angel Locsin expressed support for Taguig City mayor Lino Cayetano and the Philippine National Police on incident involving cops accused of “storming” a BGC condo that houses foreign diplomats amid the enhanced community quarantine.
“I live in BGC and I support the PNP and Mayor Cayetano. Rules are rules,” the actress said in an Instagram post Wednesday night.
“Walang kaibahan po ang kumpulan sa palengke, pa-sabong sa sementeryo, at pa-bingo sa kalsada sa pagkumpulan ninyo sa swimming pool porket may common area sa high-end condo ninyo.
“Wag po tayong privileged. Wala pong diplomatic immunity ang virus. You staying in common areas can harm not only us Filipinos but also the diplomats in your condominium. ?,” she said.
According to a Philippine Star report, residents of Pacific Plaza Towers in Taguig City alleged that policemen “overran our security and forced their way” into the condo premises while implementing enhanced community quarantine rules to stem the spread of COVID-19.
The incident reportedly traumatized children, displayed “exaggerated fear of COVID-19” and was a “diplomatic overreach” as foreign dignitaries and diplomats live there.
A media statement issued by the condo said that police came after receiving reports of some residents “not practicing social distancing guidelines, not wearing face masks, ignoring restrictions on gathering together, and that Pacific Plaza Towers had not shut down its public areas and facilities.”
They allegedly “accosted some of the residents there, berated them loudly for not following the guidelines, and curtly shouted at them to go away,” the STAR report further said, quoting Pacific Plaza Towers board president Erwin Elechicon.
On Monday, Cayetano issued a video statement on the incident, saying that they will not tolerate abuse of law enforcers, at the same time, they will require both Filipinos and foreigners to follow the ECQ guidelines.
“Taguig will not tolerate abuse of any law enforces but we require all citizens, Filipinos and foreigners, residing in Taguig City, to follow the ECQ. We are in a state of public health crisis. The PNP is here to enforce the quarantine for our safety. They are not allowed to circumvent the law or to barge into our homes, but if there is a crime or if there’s a violation being committed, they are allowed to come in, help us solve and fix the problem.”
Citing accounts of the PNP, Cayetano said police personnel went to “that building three times and throughout that day, the PNP went to five different buildings and there were no problems. But in the fifth building, it took three visits to tell and to warn citizens and the security group, that they need to stop using the common space near the swimming pool.”
In a separate post, Cayetano also posted a reminder for all subdivisions and residential buildings in Taguig.
“After the President and IATF’s renewed call to tighten the enforcement of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), I asked the Philippine National Police (PNP) and other relevant departments of the City to make sure that all rules on ECQ are strictly enforced.
“This comes after we received several reports that common areas, such us clubhouses, swimming pools and common gardens in several subdivisions and residential condominiums are still open. ECQ rules and regulations include the closure of common areas and spaces in subdivisions and residential condominiums, as these places are areas of congregation. This applies to both public AND private establishments, as this is for the general welfare of everyone.
“The ECQ rules and regulations apply equally to all communities. Patas patas po dapat.”
