By Jennifer P. Rendon
Despite being visibly peeved, Police Major Engilbert Banquillo just laughed off what he referred to as lies spread by militant group Bayan Panay.
Banquillo, chief of the Molo police in Iloilo City, alluded to a statement made by Bayan Panay that the “PNP maligned and blocked the initiatives of urban poor to feed themselves amid COVID-19 pandemic.”
In a press release, “Bayan Panay received reports that Molo PNP Chief Engelbert Banquillo this afternoon asked the village chief of San Juan in Molo district to stop the feeding program initiated by Bayan Muna urban poor members in the community.”
“According to witnesses, Banquillo also told the village chief not to receive and eat the meals prepared because it may contain the virus.”
But Banquillo said that the reports were “laced with lies and hypocrisy.”
Fortunately for Banquillo, he has Barangay Captain Pascual Espinosa IV of San Juan village to back up his claims.
Banquillo narrated that on April 15, they received information that non-residents entered San Juan to conduct mass feeding.
“We went to the area to confirm the report. Yes, it was true, around five persons entered the area to conduct mass feeding on April 14. Meaning, the mass feeding happened a day before we went to the area,” he said.
Investigation indicated that activist Jory Porquia was among those who entered the village.
The group reportedly went to Zone 3 of Barangay San Juan and had someone cook meals that were later distributed to some residents.
There were also members of a youth group who claimed to conduct an information drive on proper hand washing, among other things.
All these happened without the village official’s knowledge, Banquillo said.
“Brgy. Captain Espinosa said he did not give permission to any group to enter the village for a feeding program,” he said.
Banquillo said the group did not also pass through the barangay’s quarantine control point (QCP).
“So, I did not stop the feeding program because it was already done. And also, I am not that reckless to say that the food had virus in it. Kabutigan ina,” Banquillo said.
But he asked Espinosa to tighten their guard, as reports reaching the PNP claimed that a resident of Iloilo province was part of the group.
“And besides, nga-a makadto pa sila sa Molo? They could have helped their own ka-barangay and do their own feeding at the place where they reside,” he said.
Banquillo said the group reportedly wanted to do another follow-up feeding program, which Espinosa has flatly declined.
“Our aim is to maintain that Molo will be COVID-free,” he said.
Banquillo said they would be posting a video to back up their assertions.
