ILOILO City – The Aug. 20 shooting at Smallville Complex that killed a young man has prompted the city government to limit the public sale and consumption of liquor to only six hours daily.
Under Mayor Jerry Treñas’ newly-issued Executive Order No. 049-2022 that takes effect immediately, the public sale and consumption of any kind of alcoholic beverages is allowed only from 8 a.m. to 2 a.m., and subject to compliance to the minimum health protocols such as adequate physical distancing and existing restrictions as imposed by local ordinances such as the “Liquor Ban for Minors”.
In issuing the EO, Treñas cited the rising number of bars, clubs, restaurants and other similar establishments engaged in the unregulated dispensation of liquor even during the wee hours of the morning and sometimes at daytime.
This, he said, oftentimes results to drunkenness and harmful behavior of customers that could spiral out of control.
“Imbibing of liquor or intoxicating drinks even during the wee hours of the morning results to loitering in the streets at night of persons under the influence of liquor,” part of the EO read.
Around 4 a.m. on Aug. 20 at Smallville in Barangay San Rafael, Mandurriao district, a 21-year-old man was shot dead.
Axel Sean Del Castillo was a resident of Barangay Guzman, Mandurriao.
Citing statements from witnesses, Police Staff Sergeant Alvin Palma said the gunman was driving a black sport utility vehicle.
The police named a suspect – John Robel Vargas of Pavia, Iloilo.
According to witnesses, Del Castillo was relieving himself when shot. He was brought to the nearby Medicus Hospital where he died some 20 minutes after.
The suspect is still at large.
“While still adapting to the radical changes of COV1D-19 transmission, it cannot be overemphasized that public awareness, vigilance, cooperation, and full adherence to public health protocols remain vital to effectively curb the surge in cases, including the regulation on the dispensation of liquor,” Treñas emphasized in his EO.
Establishments violating the EO shall be meted with appropriate criminal, administrative, and/or civil sanctions penalties which include but are not limited to the provisions under the Iloilo City Tax Code, cancellation of business permits and/or closure of business establishments.
The violation shall also be a ground for non-renewal of their business permit for the subsequent year.
Persons who knowingly break the EO and endanger the lives of residents of Iloilo City shall face appropriate sanctions/penalties.
Criminal charges may also be filed depending on the severity of the offense./PN
