BY JUN AGUIRRE and BOY RYAN ZABAL
KALIBO, Aklan – A district representative in Aklan admitted helping a councilor in rescuing five Aklanons stranded in Iloilo province.
Congressman Carlito Marquez said Banga councilor Johnny Rentillo reached out to him for assistance.
The five Aklanon workers – all residents of Banga town – left their jobs at a construction site in Janiuay, Iloilo after its operation ceased following the declaration of the enhanced community quarantine by Iloilo Gov. Arthur Defensor Jr. on March 20.
Marquez added that he also called Gov. Florencio Miraflores and several leaders in the province of Capiz to allow the rescue.
After receiving the green light, Rentillo fetched the said Aklanons near the boundary of Passi, Iloilo and Dumarao, Capiz using a town-operated ambulance vehicle on March 24.
“Tumulong tayo sa kanila dahil wala na silang makain sa Iloilo. Nag-attempt ang mga workers na umuwi sa Aklan. Dumaan sila ng Tapaz, Jamindan, at sa Dumarao,Capiz papuntang Aklan, ngunit hindi sila makapasok sa mga quarantine checkpoints,” Rentillo said.
“Sinundo natin sila mula Dumarao. Naka-face mask at nag-observe ng social distancing sila sa loob ng ambulansiya. May documentation din ng kapulisan pagdating namin sa Cabangila, Altavas, sa boundary ng Aklan at Capiz,” he added.
The rescue, however, did not sit well with the residents of Banga town. They tried to figure out how and why the ‘new rules’ on border restrictions were violated.
Aklanon netizens also shared their fear that the said workers might be carriers of the coronavirus disease 2019 and have possibly exposed anyone they came into contact with.
After the rescued workers arrived in Banga town, they were advised to remain in self-quarantine for 14 days until April 7.
Rentillo and the ambulance driver also did the same.
For his part, task force incident commander Dr. Samuel Teodosio said that “the task force will meet to render the sanctions warranted against the Sangguniang Bayan member and the (ambulance) driver pending receipt of their written explanations.”(With a report from Akean Forum/PN)
