Cavite barangay execs suspended over religious procession

MANILA, Philippines — A barangay captain and three kagawads in General Trias, Cavite have been suspended for 30 days in connection with a religious procession last month.

As recommended by the city council, Mayor Antonio Ferrer suspended chairman Rolando Pagkaliwangan and councilmen Joey Loyola, Francisco Solis and Ferdinand Perdito of Barangay Santiago.

“Kudos to the city mayor and the Sangguniang Panlungsod of General Trias, Cavite for acting quickly on the karakol incident. May other LGUs (local government units) take a cue from this incident, putting into the forefront the stringent implementation of health protocols even down to the barangay level,” Jonathan Malaya, Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) spokesman, said.

The DILG said hundreds of village residents violated minimum health protocols, such as wearing of face masks and face shields, and ignored physical distancing during the event along Arnaldo Highway.

Videos of the procession went viral on social media.

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año had earlier ordered an investigation into the incident.

The DILG said administrative and criminal charges should be filed against barangay and other officials who allowed the superspreader event.