By Jennifer P. Rendon and Emme Rose Santiagudo
The Igbaras Police Station in Iloilo is now investigating 17 youngsters who allegedly trekked to Mount Napulak on their motorcycles.
Police Captain Eleazar Climacosa, Igbaras police chief, said they started the probe Friday morning after receiving a call from Mayor Jaime Esmeralda.
The incident came to fore after one of the riders posted photos of their trip on Facebook.
In her Facebook post, a woman with account name Jirehn Eluzo Prasetiyo claimed that it was the “first time” that motorcycles were able to trek Mount Napulac, the most prominent mountain peak in Igbaras.
The caption also read “Lockdown and Quarantine Mt. Napulak Thrill 2020.”
But instead of praise, the post elicited negative reactions from netizens citing violation of the guidelines on enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
The riders were clearly seen posing for the camera and not observing physical distancing.
None of them wore a face mask.
The post was already taken down as of Friday afternoon.
Some of those photographed also alleged that the pictures were taken even before the province was placed under community quarantine.
But Esmeralda believed the pictures were taken very recently.
The mayor claimed that the motorcycle riders asked permission from a village official saying they will transport farm fertilizers.
But even the village official was also surprised upon learning that they went to Mt. Napulak.
Esmeralda said he already ordered the town’s tourism office and the local police to order the group to leave the area immediately.
With reports that some of the trekkers are minors, they would be placed under the custody of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) for appropriate actions.
On March 16, 2020, Esmeralda issued Executive Order No. 03-21, which suspended visiting, hiking, trekking or any related activities to the eco-tourism destinations, ambulant vending and ukay-ukay selling in Igbaras.
Climacosa said they will gather evidence even if the group destroyed or damaged portions of the tourism site.
But initial investigation showed that the group went to Mount Napulak, which is in Barangay Igcabugao, via Tigbanaba village.
The area is just around 9 kilometers but sits on a rough terrain.
Esmeralda said the group of teenagers who are residents of a barangay at the foot of Mt. Napulak climbed the mountain in two batches on Thursday to check the motorcycle trails.
“May duha sila ka grupo nga nagsaka kagapon. Hambal nila makadto sila pihak nga sitio para lantawon ang alagyan ka motor kay madeliver kuno sila abono para sa tanom, Amo na ang lisensya nila sa kagawad,” he told Daily Guardian on Friday.
Photos of the group in Mt. Napulak went viral online on Thursday night and garnered mixed reactions from the netizens.
Esmeralda said the group did not pass through the checkpoints established by the local government.
The mayor said the group clearly violated several ECQ protocols such as failure to use face masks and failure to observe social distancing.
“Sang nakita ko na nag-viral na, I ordered the police and our tourism officer to visit and investigate the area. Clearly damo ang ila violations, naglagaw sila wala sila quarantine passes, wala sang face mask, and wala man sang social distancing,” he said.
The group also violated an executive order which mandates the closure of tourist destinations in Igbaras.
“On the first week of March, may gin-issue na ako na EO during enhanced community quarantine nga tanan nga tourist destinations iclose namon,” he said.
Esmeralda said they are also investigating if the group violated the liquor ban imposed by the provincial government.
The mayor said the 11 teenagers have been turned over to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to investigate on the said matter.
Six minors will also be turned over to the Department of Social and Welfare Development, according to Esmeralda.
He said the group will face fines and community service for breaching quarantine protocols.
Esmeralda said the group already apologized for their misbehavior and vowed to abide with the quarantine guidelines.
“Nangayo sila sorry kag indi na kuno sila magliwat. They said they will render community service,” he added.
According to Esmeralda, the incident should serve as an example to other teenagers to stay at home and not violate quarantine protocols.
“Precedence na ini sa iban nga mga teenagers nga indi na mag-violate sa aton quarantine protocols. Lesson learned na. So, sa aton nga mga pumuluyo, magfollow sa aton ginapananaog nga mga guidelines kay para man ni sa aton tanan. Kabay pa mangin isa ini ka sitwasyon nga makapamuklat sa mga kabataan,” he said.
