Barangay chiefs probed for superspreader events

MANILA, Philippines — The home affairs office is investigating three village chiefs for allegedly failing or doing nothing to stop COVID-19 superspreader events in Batangas, Apayao and Cebu City.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año identified the three officials as Barangay Matabungkay Captain Ireneo Cabahug in Lian, Batangas; Barangay San Mariano Chair Bobby Daquioag of Sta. Marcela, Apayao; and Cebu City association of barangay councils president Franklyn Ong of Barangay Kasambangan, Cebu City.

In a statement on Thursday, Año explained that Cabahug is under probe for failing to enforce minimum public health safety standards on tourists “who did not observe physical distancing and did not wear face masks in a beach resort in Barangay Matabungkay in Batangas.”

Five village chiefs were previously charged in their respective locality’s prosecutor’s offices for the superspreader events at Barangay San Jose, Navotas City; Club Holic Bar and Restaurant at Barangay Kamputhaw, Cebu City; Bakas River incident in Barangay Matictic, Norzagaray, Bulacan; and in Barangays 181 and 182 in Manila where boxing matches were held. —JEANNETTE I. ANDRADE