LINGAYEN, Pangasinan – Several officials of Barangay Dulag here have been arrested after the police caught them in the middle of drinking liquor while inside the barangay hall amid the extended enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in the province.
The ECQ in the province includes the liquor ban, or prohibition of selling and drinking of liquor in public places.
A police report issued on Monday said the Lingayen policemen received a tip from a concerned citizen on Sunday about an alleged drinking session of the barangay chairperson and his officials as gunshots were heard in the area, prompting the authorities to respond.
Barangay Chair Benjie Mararac, and incumbent barangay councilors (kagawad) Jerwin Canilang, Arthur Rosario, and Edzel Mararac, along with barangay security enforcers Jaime Ferrer and Ruben Mangiralas, together with a private citizen Harold Calingasin, were caught in the act having a drinking session.
It was also found out that Mararac was responsible for the indiscriminate firing using a .40-caliber pistol he owns, the report added.
Despite the gun having a license and permit to carry, it was confiscated by the police together with the six bottles of gin; five of which were already empty.
The suspects were arrested, and are currently facing charges on the violation of Article 151 of the Revised Penal Code, Republic Act 11469, and Executive Order 0013-2020. (PNA)
