(Photo courtesy of Davao City Information Office)
DAVAO CITY, Philippines – The Vice Regulation Unit and the personnel of Talomo Police has apprehended 69 individuals for violating the Liquor Ban Ordinance and the Anti- Smoking Ordinance in this city.
Police Chief Insp. Ronald Lao said during AFP and PNP press conference on Wednesday, December 5, that the composite team of Vices Regulation Unit with Talomo Police and the Davao City Police Office that conducted the inspection also caught “two establishments allowing customers to smoke” even with strict regulation.
The authorities conducted the surprise inspection 3:00 AM in the areas of Times Beach, Bonguyan Beach, Jade by the Sea, and other parts of Matina Aplaya in the city.
Based on the report of Talomo police station, 52 individuals violated the liquor ban ordinance while 17 others were caught smoking in public.
Under the city’s Liquor Ban, it prohibited the drinking of liquor along the streets, in parks and other public places. It also prohibited the selling of any alcoholic drink starting midnight.
Alcoholic beverages refer to any drink that contains alcohol, including but not limited to beer, wine, locally distilled drinks, and cocktails. Violators face a fine of P3, 000 for the first offense and P5,000 and/or imprisonment for three months for the second offense.
While under the Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance prohibits smoking in all public areas, including government facilities, public transport facilities, food establishments, hotels, schools, hospitals, and workplaces as well as outdoor facilities like playgrounds, parks, and markets, among many other places.
The violator will be penalized with P1,000 fine or one-month imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court for the first offense, P2,500 or two months imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court and P5,000 or four months imprisonment or both at the discretion of the court.
DCPO spokesperson Maria Teresita Gaspan told media that the operation is part of the “aggressive implementation” of the city with its Liquor Ban and Anti-Smoking Ordinances.
“The public should expect surprise operations of our authorities to check if we are all following the law and if the law is fully implemented,” said Gaspan. (davaotoday.com)
