By Jennifer P. Rendon
Two brothers were arrested for allegedly violating COVID-19 protocols in Malay, Aklan.
The suspects, Bonifacio Bautista Jr. and Alberto Bautista, both residents of Oriental Mindoro, were collared at Caticlan Jetty Port in Malay town.
Police Staff Sergeant Herminio Pablo Jr., Malay police investigator, said the duo was arrested for violation of Republic Act No. 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Disease and Health Events of Public Health Concern Acts).
The arrest happened around 8:30 p.m. of June 27, 2020 after the brothers, who drove a van, failed to pass by the local government desk before heading to the jetty port.
Pablo said the Malay local government required Ro-Ro passengers to register before embarking on the ship.
Before that, the local police received a call from port personnel of an unidentified utility van believed to be illegally transporting locally stranded individuals (LSIs) presumably going to Metro Manila.
“They suspected that the vehicle is utilized as a passenger van but operating without a franchise and any other supporting documents,” Pablo said.
The brothers had eight passengers whom they allegedly fetched from Concepcion, Iloilo.
Pablo said each passenger paid P3,500 for their trips.
All of them have medical certificates and travel authorities, among others, which are needed to be allowed to travel outside the region.
The two suspects claimed they were not aware that they are required to report to the LGU before proceeding to Luzon.
On Saturday morning, port authorities claimed that the suspects’ van arrived at Caticlan Jetty from Batangas.
Pablo said they ferried LSIs from Metro Manila and appeared to drop them off somewhere in Aklan province.
“It appeared that this is some sort of a business for the suspects,” Pablo said.
The investigation is still ongoing if the two have violated any guidelines relative to transporting LSIs in and out of the region.
