By Glazyl Y. Masculino
BACOLOD City – 39 violators of health protocols in Silay City, Negros Occidental were sanctioned to walk like “zombies” to remind them to observe social distancing.
Major Rollie Pondevilla, city police chief, said the violators marched from the police station to the covered court with their arms raised forward to observe the “one-meter distance” from each other.
Physical distancing is one of the rules imposed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19).
“Daw zombie sila maglakat para ma emphasize ta gid ang social distancing,” Pondevilla added.
Pondevilla said these individuals were caught not wearing their face masks in public places, which is a violation of City Ordinance No. 3, Series of 2020.
Pondevilla said the violators were brought to the covered court, where a seminar was held to remind them about the observance of the proper health protocols.
A coffin was placed in the court to also remind them that Covid-19 can cause death to anyone if health protocols will not be observed, Pondevilla said.
“Puwede makalaton sila sa iban kag worst mapatay ang puwede nila malatnan kung magka Covid sila,” he added.
Pondevilla said they have been doing these “penance” since last year to emphasize to the people that “we are facing a health crisis, thus the more we should be cautious.”
Pondevilla reiterated his call to the residents to strictly follow the health protocols to help the government in the Covid fight by preventing more cases.
He said they held the seminar at the court because the police station has very limited space for a big crowd.
He warned the violators that if they will be caught again, the police will file charges against them.
“For now, naghatag lang ta anay humanitarian consideration for them as first offenders,” he said.
