MANILA – The Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) will file charges against former Anakpawis Party-list Rep. Ariel Casilao and six volunteers for violating quarantine rules when they distribute relief goods in Norzagaray, Bulacan on Sunday.
DILG Undersecretary Jonathan Malaya said Casilao violated provisions of the Bayanihan to Heal as One law on strict stay-at-home protocols for residents of Luzon.
“We wish to remind Anakpawis that the virus cannot spread by itself,” Malaya said. “It has no legs. It is people that spread the virus. You give us no choice but to file charges against you.”
“We don’t give special treatment even if you have a congressman with you. We will sue all violators,” the DILG official added.
Casilao and his team of volunteers from Tulong Anakpawis and Sagip Kanayunan were blocked and apprehended by cops on Sunday morning but were not informed of their violations.
The relief goods were eventually distributed to the intended recipients in Barangay Bigte in Norzagaray, Bulacan after they were turned over to local authorities.
According to Malaya, the gesture of Casilao’s team was an “unauthorized travel outside of Metro Manila,” and an alleged to organize a mass gathering in the community in the guise of distributing relief goods.
Malaya claimed the jeepney that ferried the group and the goods also carried tarpaulins, pamphlets and other “propaganda materials,” which were confiscated.
He added that the vehicle used an unauthorized food pass and that the team namedropped Casilao to get past checkpoints before they were accosted.
The DILG identified the volunteers as Karl Mae San Juan, Marlon Lester Gueta, Robero Medel, Eriberto Peña Jr., Raymar Guaves, and Tobi Estrada.
They will be charged for violating provisions of the Bayanihan law, among them for non-cooperation and resistance and disobedience to a person of authority, while Casilao will face raps for usurpation of authority./PN
