34 moviegoers nabbed for ignoring PH anthem

ILLUSTRATION BY STEPH BRAVO

For ignoring the national anthem played inside a theater in Batangas province, 34 moviegoers are now in trouble, facing fines or a year in prison.

Chief Insp. Alfie Salang, police chief of Lemery town, said policemen took videos and photos of the moviegoers shortly before the screening of a romantic flick at a shopping mall on Wednesday afternoon.

After the national anthem was played and the movie was about to start, the police began arresting those who did not stand up.

Respecting PH flag

The 20-year-old Republic Act No. 8491, or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines, requires the public to sing with fervor the national anthem, “Lupang Hinirang,” during public gatherings, such as at the initial and last screening of films or theater performances.

Upon conviction, the penalties include a fine of not less than P5,000 but not more than P20,000 or one year imprisonment.

Netizens were quick to chime in, as some said the arrest ought to teach the “basic duties of Filipinos.”

Others, however, described it as a prelude to a “state-enforced nationalism.”

“The arrest is overkill. It would be better if they (offenders) were reminded, rather than arrest them at once,” said Renato Reyes of the militant Bagong Alyansang Makabayan.

Supt. Chitadel Gaoiran, spokesperson for the Calabarzon police, said “Oplan Bandila” only enforced what was stated in the law that people seemed to had long ignored. —MARICAR CINCO