MANILA, Philippines – Bicycle riders from Valenzuela, who violated the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) regulations, have been ordered to render community service, while their bikes have been confiscated for now.
In a tweet on its official page on Monday, Valenzuela City showed screenshots of a bicycle rider who flaunted his trips to Manila Bay along Roxas Boulevard and along Mindanao Avenue despite the travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Part of Mindanao Avenue is located in Valenzuela City.
“Alam n’yo ba na bawal ang magbike at mag-jogging sa pampublikong lugar habang ipinatutupad ang ECQ? This is blatant disregard of the ECQ and unnecessary loitering,” the city government said.
[Do you know that it’s prohibited to bike and jog in public places while the ECQ is being enforced? This is a blatant disregard of the ECQ and unnecessary loitering.]
Alam n'yo ba na bawal ang magbike at mag-jogging sa pampublikong lugar habang ipinatutupad ang ECQ? This is blatant disregard of the ECQ and unnecessary loitering. pic.twitter.com/5HQfXxAGSM
— valenzuelacity (@valenzuelacity) April 20, 2020
The biker, whose identity was withheld, was eventually had been tracked down by the city government and the police, and he spoke with Valenzuela Mayor Rex Gatchalian.
The biker reasoned out that the picture showing him along Manila Bay was an old photo, but Gatchalian said it was just recent, pointing out that the biker shared that “he has gone out of the house again” — implying that it was a violation of travel restrictions.
“Bago ‘yon. In fact, kaya alam kong bago ‘yon kasi may nilagay ka pa doon na naka-lusot kayo sa Mindanao Avenue,” Gatchalian told the biker. “[Kung luma ‘yon] Eh bakit ka umiiwas sa Mindanao Avenue?”
[That is new. in fact, the reason why I know it’s new is that you said there that you were able to elude authorities on Mindanao Avenue. If that’s old, why were you avoiding Mindanao Avenue?]
Kung akala n'yo na hindi namin kayo mahahanap, we'll make sure we will find you. Mayor @rex_gatchalian talks to one of the bikers who posted na nakarating pa siyang Roxas Blvd. pic.twitter.com/Hze92D6Iwg
— valenzuelacity (@valenzuelacity) April 20, 2020
Gatchalian said that the bicycles would be locked to ensure that the bikers would not be able to use it to violate travel restrictions. Meanwhile, three other bikers have surrendered to the local government.
“Ila-lock natin ‘yong mga bisikleta dito, that’s fair? Picturan natin para masiguro natin ‘yong kondisyon, tapos lock niyo ang gagamitin natin, tapos magko-community service kayo,”
(We will lock these bikes here, is that fair? We will take photos to ensure their condition, then we would use your own locks, then you will conduct community service.)
“Mag-repack kayo ng goods, tutal ang dami niyong enerhiyang mag-bike, di ba? Eh di gamitin niyo sa tama ‘yan. Ang tapang niyo eh,” he added.
[You would re-pack goods, since it seems you have a lot of energy to make long trips, right? Then use that correctly, you are so daring.]
The Valenzuela City government reminded its residents that the strict home quarantine limits reasons for leaving houses to purchase basic necessities and emergencies.
— valenzuelacity (@valenzuelacity) April 20, 2020
As of now, the national government has yet to decide if the ECQ would be lifted or extended while COVID-19 cases are still rising. The country currently has one of the highest coronavirus infection and mortality rates in the Southeast Asian region.
DOH said that there are now 6,459 COVID-19 cases all over the country, with 429 casualties and 613 recoveries. Worldwide, over 2.40 million individuals have been infected, while 165,788 have died from the disease and 620,696 have recovered from it.
READ: BREAKING: Over 600 COVID-19 patients recover in PH – DOH