61 issued citation tickets for violating liquor ban, establishment up for closure
By Rhoda Grace B. Saron
SIXTY-ONE individuals were arrested and one minor rescued following a raid on Bae Bistro in Marfori Heights, Barangay 9-A, around 9 a.m. on March 11 for violating the liquor ban imposed in the city.
Meanwhile, the Vices Regulation Unit (VRU) has recommended to the Business Bureau for the bar’s closure.
Major Marvin Hugos, the San Pedro Police Station chief, said they issued citation tickets to the violators and the establishment.
In an interview on Monday, Hugos said the individuals were arrested following a tip from a citizen who complained about the loud noise coming from the bar.
“Gi adtuan sa tropa ug gipauli na ang naa sulod. Paghawa sa tropa (police) kay gipabalik ug sulod then nag inum na pud. Mao nga gidala na sila tanan diri station ug issue na ug citation ticket (Our troops told everyone to go home but when the police left, the customers returned inside to continue drinking. That’s why we brought them all to the station and issued a citation ticket),” he said.
He also said that they were also able to rescue a 13-year-old minor.
In a separate interview, VRU chief Hernando Las said the violators only have 3-7 days to pay P3,000 for the first offense. Otherwise, their cases will be elevated to the court.
Under the ordinance, the city’s liquor ban is implemented from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m., and the selling, serving, or consumption of liquor and any other alcoholic and intoxicating drinks in public shall be prohibited during the period.
The last order for liquor for most bars is at midnight or 12:30 a.m.
It can be remembered that Mayor Sebastian Duterte also warned bar owners to adhere to the guidelines or face penalties if they commit violations.
Duterte said that establishments would pay the penalty for the first offense and may serve jail time for the second offense. Their business permits will also be revoked on the third offense.
“As per VRU, wala diay business permit ang Bae Bistro (Bae Bistro had no business permit),” Hugos said.
Meanwhile, TIMES is still reaching out to the establishment (Bae Bistro) through a message on their Facebook page but has received no response yet as of this writing.
