18 arrested for violating liquor ban in Manila, C. Visayas

More than a dozen people were arrested early Sunday morning for violating the liquor ban being implemented in connection with Monday’s local and national automated elections. Police reports said 10 were arrested in Manila while eight others were nabbed in Central Visayas. Superintendent Jose Hidalgo Jr. of the Manila Police District said the 10, all male, were arrested at 4 a.m. inside Joy Restaurant located at the corner of Escoda and Benitez St. in Paco, Manila. Those arrested were identified as Arjay Soria, 18; Rommel Osensao, 19; Dennis Barros, 26; Jay-Ar Bonifacio, 23; Ricardo Licad, 45; Aljon Agaoa, 20; Philip Modino, 30; Cyruz Santos, 24; Vicente Bucoy, 24 and Amado Gindoy, 27, all residents of Manila.

The 10 were arrested after patrolling policemen went inside the restaurant after seeing that it was still open at 4 a.m. In Central Visayas, those arrested were Dominador Savite, 18; Romenic Jakosalem, 31; Jimmy Arsaga, 47; Glenn Genoza, 26; and Ramonito Arsaga, 42, all of Kalubihan, Cebu City; and Michael Vincent Marzado, 25, from Toledo City; Edilberto Omega Jr., 29, from Hipodromo, Cebu City; and Camilo Aninikop, 29, of Lapu-Lapu City. All police units nationwide were ordered to strictly implement Commission on Elections (Comelec) Resolution 8730 or the rules and regulations governing the liquor ban in connection with Monday’s elections. “Until the liquor ban is lifted, the Philippine National Police will strictly enforce this election law," said PNP spokesman Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina in a statement Sunday. The liquor ban, which took effect 12:01 a.m. Sunday, will be implemented until Monday midnight. —KBK, GMANews.TV