ACT OF KINDNESS. The first community pantry in Cagayan de Oro City was started in Zone 4 Pasil, Barangay Kauswagan on Monday (April 19, 2021). The Department of Justice said on Tuesday that pantries should be left alone unless blatant violations are committed. (Contributed photo)
MANILA – Unless there is a reason to believe that a community pantry is committing violations, the presence of law enforcers is unnecessary.
Department of Justice (DOJ) Secretary Menardo Guevarra said on Tuesday that persons “voluntarily doing an act of kindness and compassion toward their neighbors should be left alone".
"It is not proper for law enforcement agents to interrogate them unless there is reason to believe that they are violating any law, ordinance, rule, or regulation," he said. "Even the presence of lawyers at the sites, in my opinion, is unnecessary."
The DOJ chief added that organizers of community pantries have no legal duty or are under any compulsion to fill out any forms.
“Those are not considered businesses or illegal activities," he added.
Guevarra would not comment yet on reported cursory inspections and investigations of community pantry organizers, who decry alleged red-tagging.
“I cannot answer as it may prejudge an actual case that may come before the DOJ," he said. (PNA)
