Bill seeks to punish kibitzers crossing police lines

Kibitzers, be warned. A bill has been filed in the Senate seeking to punish persons who will cross police cordons or lines in crime incidents. Senate Bill 2399, filed by Sen. Ramon Bong Revilla Jr., seeks a penalty of imprisonment of one to six months or a fine ranging from P500 to P3,000 for any unauthorized person who knowingly or willfully goes across the police cordon or line. “This is to preserve and protect the pieces of evidence that would lead to the successful apprehension and prosecution of criminals," Revilla said. The bill was filed a day after a dismissed policeman, Rolando Mendoza, held hostage more than 20 people, most of them tourists from Hong Kong, inside a bus in front of the Quirino Grandstand in Manila. Ten people — the hostage-taker and nine tourists — were killed. Footage of the hostage incident showed kibitzers storming the crime scene after members of the SWAT team made a nighttime daring assault. Also under Revilla’s bill, public officials or employees found to have committed the forbidden act shall be subjected to administrative sanctions. Authorized persons who allow the act shall also be subjected to the same sanctions. - Kimberly Jane Tan/KBK, GMANews.TV