ILOILO City – Mayor Jerry Treñas reiterated his defense of the city government’s turning down of the military’s peace summit here.
“As a lawyer, I always follow rules,” the mayor stressed.
He was referring to the health safety protocols enforced by the national government’s Inter-Agency Task Force aimed to avert the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“I you ask me if I will allow a mass gathering of 1,000 persons under general community quarantine (GCQ), my answer is no,” Treñas said in a statement over the weekend.
He pointed out that mass gatherings could aid in the spread of SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19.
Jeffrey Celiz, activist-turned-military whistleblower, slammed the city government for not hosting the Nov. 10 “Panay Peace Summit” of the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF ELCAC).
Celiz wondered why the city government could mount a night market but could not host the peace summit which he claimed was more significant.
Treñas said the night market was permitted by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in a bid to revive the local economy.
Iloilo City’s GCQ status is until the end of this year.
The city’s chief executive also said he respects the military as an institution.
“I am ready to serve my country in any way possible and even as a soldier in times of war. I have always respected the rule of law and the strict discipline in the military. Our city and our community will be a lot better if we follow the rule of law at all times,” Treñas said.
He added that, “Let us always be consistent in all our decisions and actions.”
NTF ELCAC held Thursday’s peace summit in Iloilo province’s component city of Passi, some 56 kilometers north of Iloilo City./PN
