No issue on abuse of authority ‘so far’ vs Zamora in Baguio incident—Año

MEDICAL TRIP San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora says his group’s Baguio visit is primarily a medical trip for his wife. —EDWIN BACASMAS

MANILA, Philippines — Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said so far there is no possible abuse of authority on the part of San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora for skipping quarantine protocols during a visit to Baguio City while police officials are still probing the incident.

“So far there is no issue on governance or abuse of authority unless the current investigation on the PNP escorts would implicate Mayor Zamora that he intentionally ordered not to stop at the checkpoint,” Año said in a text message Wednesday.

To recall, the San Juan mayor and his convoy of six vehicles passed through a checkpoint along Kennon Road on Friday afternoon and proceeded to Baguio City Country Club without undertaking mandatory medical examinations.

Zamora already apologized for the breach. He said he was sleeping on his way to Baguio that he was never aware of the breach.

Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong accepted Zamora’s apology but insisted that an investigation into Zamora’s quarantine violations must continue.

The Metro Manila police ordered the relief of five police officers who accompanied Zamora and violated quarantine protocols in Baguio. The relieved officers were transferred to the Regional Personnel Holding and Accounting Unit of the National Capital Region Police Office while investigation is ongoing.