QC to shorten curfew period from midnight to 3 a.m., citing Simbang Gabi

Caroling strictly prohibited

The Quezon City government on Saturday announced it would shorten the curfew between midnight to 3 a.m., starting December 16 to give way to Simbang Gabi.

This was in accordance with the latest pronouncements of the Inter-Agency Task Force and the Metro Manila Council (MMC).

“Bahagi na ng pagdiriwang ng kapaskuhan at ng ating kultura ang Simbang Gabi kaya kahit may pandemya, nais nating panatihiling buhay ang diwa nito,” Mayor Joy Belmonte said.

(Simbang Gabi has been a part of our culture and Christmas celebrations. This is why we want to continue the tradition despite the pandemic.)

But Belmonte said devotees should not exceed 30 percent of the venue’s capacity and basic health protocols must be followed, such as social distancing and wearing face masks and face shields.

“Hindi natin dapat kalimutan na mayroon pa ring pandemya at kailangan tayong mag-ingat upang maiwasan ang pagkalat ng virus,” she said.

(We should not forget there is still a pandemic, so we need to be careful spreading the virus.)

Quezon City adjusted its curfew hours, a few days after San Juan City passed a similar ordinance.

But Belmonte prohibited caroling and encouraged families to limit Christmas and New Year celebrations to the immediate household.

“We also strongly discourage commingling of multiple households in activities, such as large family reunions,” said Belmonte, adding that non-essential gatherings of more than 10 persons remain strictly prohibited.

People between 15 to 65 years old are allowed to leave home, provided that they have a company ID, school ID or any government-issued ID. Those younger or older than the permitted ages may leave home only to buy essentials.

Public gatherings shall be allowed subject to health protocols.

For trade shows, bazaars and the like, or when otherwise applicable, organizers are required to obtain a special permit from the city's Business Permits and Licensing Department.

"Whenever feasible, gatherings should use open-air venues or naturally ventilated indoor venues," Belmonte said.

Organizers of work-related or commercial gatherings must keep a log of all attendees for contact tracing purposes. The city government also encourages the use of a digital contact tracing method, such as SafePass for easier contact tracing.

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/05/20/qc-to-shorten-curfew-period-from-midnight-to-3-am-citing-simbang-gabi

Metro Manila malls deploy more guards to monitor minors at premises

Some shopping malls in Metro Manila have started to deploy additional security personnel and health officers to make sure minors do not enter shopping malls, following the decision of mayors to ban children there.

Guards could be seen roaming Robinsons malls to ensure that minors are there only for “essential” activities with their parents, such as going to dental clinics, said Myron Yao, the mall’s regional operations manager.

The management of Ayala Malls and SM Malls, meanwhile, implemented the order of local government units (LGU) prohibiting children from entering malls.

“Ang direksyon namin sa lahat ng SM sumunod sa itinakda ng LGU na talagang pagsabihan at pagbawalan ang mga menor de edad na pumunta sa mga mall so mayroon nakalagay sa batas na except that getting essentials,” SM Supermalls senior vice president Bien Mateo said.

(We directed all branches of SM to follow the guidelines of the LGU and to remind, ban minors from entering malls, except when doing essential errands.)

Mall management also assured the public nobody would be apprehended, but there would be constant reminders regarding the restriction meant to prevent children from catching the virus or spreading it.

An infectious diseases expert earlier urged LGUs to consider reopening parks during the holiday season because of the order.

Dr. Benjamin Co said even with safety measures against the novel coronavirus, there is no guarantee that going to malls is safe for those allowed. -- TeleRadyo Dec. 5, 2020

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/05/20/metro-manila-malls-deploy-more-guards-to-monitor-minors-at-premises

Pamamaril sa Los Baños mayor posibleng 2 ang suspek: pulisya

Dalawa ang posibleng suspek sa pamamaslang sa alkalde ng Los Baños na si Caesar Perez, ayon sa pulisya.

Pinag-aaralan ng Philippine National Police ang mga kuha sa CCTV sa lugar at mga kalapit na establisimyento, kung saan dalawang lalaking naka-face mask ang nakita umano sa lugar nang pagbabarilin ang alkalde.

Pero tumanggi muna silang ibahagi nito sa media habang gumugulong pa ang imbestigasyon.

"At that time, maaring alam din ng mga suspek kung saan sila mag-escape. ‘Yung nagamit na baril, hindi pa rin po ma identify ng SOCO kasi nawasak po yung slab," ani Philippine National Police Spokesperson Brandi Usana.

Los Baños, Laguna mayor dies after being shot in town hall

Namatay sa pamamaril si Perez Huwebes ng gabi sa compound ng munisipyo.

Samantala, dinagsa naman ng mga mahal sa buhay ang burol ni Perez sa kanilang bahay sa Barangay Batong Malake.

Naluluha si Leila Herbaño, kababata ni Perez nang dumalaw sa burol ng pinaslang na alkalde.

Hindi niya matanggap ang sinapit ng alkalde.

"He is not perfect. He might not be the best, pero he doesn’t deserve such kind of death,” ani Herbaño.

Dagsa ang mga nakikiramay sa bahay ng pamilya sa Barangay Batong Malake kung saan nakaburol ang bangkay ni Perez.

“Si governor, from time to time, kinakausap ang ating provincial director ng PNP para malaman niya ang mga developments sa imbestigasyon sa kaso because gusto namin na ma-serve po ‘yung hustisya,” ani Los Baños 2nd District Rep. Ruth Hernandez.

Pagkatapos ang pagkamatay ni Perez, mahigit 20 na ang alkalde at bise-alkalde na napapatay mula 2016, batay sa tala ng PNP.

Itinuring ni Akbayan Chair Emeritus at dating CHR Spokesperson Etta Rosales na extrajudicial killing (EJK) na dapat aniyang panagutan ni Pangulong Rodrigo Duterte ang pagpaslang kay Perez.

“Once again, Mr. Duterte, you have blood on your hands. Kahit pandemya di nakapagpigil sa EJKs ng administrasyong ito,” ani Rosales sa pahayag.

Nadawit noon sa isyu ng bentahan ng ilegal na droga si Perez kaya napasama sa narcolist ni Duterte.

Noon nang itinanggi ito ni Perez.

Tumanggi munang magpaunlak ng panayam ang pamilya ng alkalde.

Hiling nila, mabigyan siya ng magandang alaala malayo sa kontrobersiya.

Ililipat ang labi ni Perez sa munisipyo sa susunod na linggo.

Pag-aaralan din ng pamilya ang hiling ng mga tagasuporta na magkaroon ng funeral procession na hindi lalabag sa health protocols. — Ulat ni Michael Delizo, ABS-CBN News

https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/12/05/20/pamamaril-sa-los-baos-mayor-posibleng-2-ang-suspek-pulisya