DAGUPAN CITY –– The barangay chairman of Dulag in Lingayen town was arrested on Monday (May 4) along with four of his councilmen and three watchmen when they were caught having a drinking spree in front of the barangay hall during the 24-hour curfew.
Village head Benjie Mararac and his companions face charges for breaking the quarantine that was imposed to contain the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), as well as a liquor ban.
Police ventured into the area because of a complaint that someone had indiscriminately fired a weapon.
Major Edgar Allan Serquiña, acting Lingayen police chief, said the firearms were under Mararac’s custody and have been seized.
“Never will the local government of Lingayen tolerate anyone, much more our colleagues in public service, who runs counter to our laws under my watch,” said Mayor Leopoldo Bataoil.
“Let the arrest of these officials serve as a stern warning to all municipal and barangay officials and employees, and all other frontliners, that no one is, and shall be, above the law, even during this time of national health emergency,” the mayor said.