7 face liquor ban charges

SEVEN men were charged before the Davao City Prosecution Office (CPO) last week for drinking liquor beyond 1 a.m. in Barangay Sto. Niño in Tugbok District, Davao City.

Charged with violation of the Davao City Ordinance No. 004-13, otherwise known as The Liquor Ban, are Geronimo R. Oliveros, Alfredo Dumanglas, Michael Villarin, Antonio Dumanat, Jay-Jay Suplaag, Nico Agustin, and Adrian Panaligan.

Prosecutor Faizal A. Padate found probable cause to charge the seven accused based on the complaint filed by SPO4 Prisco L. Blaya, of the Bunawan Police Station.

In a resolution dated October 5, it showed that the seven accused were arrested around 1:40 a.m. on September 24, Sunday, along Santan Street in Barangay Sto. Niño in Tugbok.

The complainant attested that he caught the seven accused having drinking session along Santan Street past 1 a.m. already.

Recovered from the possession of the accused were one Red Horse brand empty bottle, one partially consumed Red Horse bottle, four unconsumed Red Horse bottles, and one glass cup.

Considering the seven accused were apprehended in flagrante, Padate instructed the concerned authorities to fix the bond for the accused at P2,000.

The ordinance pushes the ban up earlier to 1 a.m. All persons selling and/or serving alcoholic beverages and other intoxicating products are prohibited to do so from 1 a.m. to 8 a.m.

Drinking and consumption of alcoholic beverages and the like are prohibited in all business establishments and public places (i.e. streets, plazas, parks, parking areas, and other uninhabited places).

The amended ordinance carries the provision of the 1994 ordinance against “all persons below legal age” to drink and/or order alcoholic beverages.

Anyone who violates the law will be facing penalties as follows: P3,000 for the first offense; P5,000 or three months imprisonment for the second offense; and for third and subsequent offenses—P5,000 and 1 year imprisonment, with business permit revocation. ICT