Mandaue stores selling liquors to minors warned

Mandaue City Mayor Gabriel Luis Quisumbing has warned closing stores and other establishments that sell liquors to minors.

“For those that sold liquors to these minors, without checking, if you were able to verify, where they were able to buy it, if it is a convenience store, if it is a sari-sari store, we're very sure that we will swiftly close them down,” Quisumbing said.

He said stores and establishments should look after the safety of customers, rather than prioritize maximizing profits.

“If that's their outlook, like I said, pahawa nalang mo sa Mandaue City. We don't want you here,” he said.

Quisumbing's statements came after the arrest of six minors who allegedly raped an 18-year-old female high school student last Friday.

According to a police investigation, the six minors, aged 16 and 17, were drinking liquor with the victim and the latter's older sister in an apartment in Barangay Looc.

Quisumbing believes that too much consumption of alcohol can lead to situations similar to the girl who was reported to have been gang-raped.

A proposed ordinance regulating the sale and liquor in Mandaue recently passed on first reading.

According to the draft ordinance, the sale and consumption of liquor in city should be regulated. Firms should secure a license to sell liquor and another license to serve alcoholic beverages.

Quisumbing, meanwhile, directed the police to conduct strict checkpoints and increase their visibility in order to deter crimes.

“Let me be very clear, whether the perpetrator is an adult or a minor, we do not tolerate crime in Mandaue City and those that perpetrate any sort of crime in the city, we will be sure that there will be consequences,” he said.

Chief Inspector Wilbert Parilla of Opao Police Station said a rape complaint will be filed against the arrested minors today.