Curfew takes effect; most 24-hour joints closed

Most 24-hour coffee shops and entertainment bars in Quezon City and Manila opted to close after customers stayed away from nightlife, radio DZBB reported shortly after the government curfew took effect. The station’s reporter made the rounds of the city, especially the usually busy Quezon Avenue, and found only a handful of joints had opened for business. A 24-hour coffee shop waiter told DZBB that they have only two customers and would close as soon the pair leave. In Malate, Manila, waiters told GMA News that a handful of night goers patronized their clubs. On the heels of the standoff in Makati City between mutinous soldiers and government troops, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo has imposed a curfew from 12 midnight Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday, in Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog. Interior Secretary Ronaldo Puno said President Arroyo ordered the imposition of the curfew. Director General Avelino Razon, National Police chief, said the curfew imposed by the government will be in place only from 12 midnight Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday. "We will be doing this for only one night," Razon said during a press conference in the Presidential Palace late Thursday evening. Diplomats and night-shift workers, doctors, media practitioners on duty will be exempted from coverage of checkpoint searches during the curfew from midnight Thursday to 5 a.m. Friday. Radio dzBB reported that the Philippine National Police has also suspended the effectivity of permits to carry firearms outside residence (PTCFORs). Malacañang and the Interior department also sternly reminded police manning the checkpoints not to engage in extortion or harassment. President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo announced the curfew, which will cover Metro Manila, Central Luzon and Southern Tagalog, following a six-hour standoff at The Peninsula hotel in Makati City. Exempted from the curfew are: * Deliveries of products and services * Passengers of airlines with an early-morning or late-night flight * Emergency cases * Drivers of public utility vehicles such as taxis, buses and jeeps * Doctors and health care practitioners on duty * Police and military personnel on duty * Emergency response persons such as firemen and paramedics; * Night-shift workers such as call center agents * Media crews on duty * Provincial bus passengers and commuters; and * Diplomatic corps. Violators of the curfew are to be brought to the nearest police station for booking, and will be released after the curfew lapses at 5 a.m., except if the violator is to undergo investigation for more violations. The violator is to undergo a medical examination before being freed, except if they sign a waiver. Checkpoints are to be set up in all entry and exit points in all towns and cities. Police personnel manning the checkpoints are to respect the rights of people except the right of freedom to travel. Malacañang and the Interior department also reminded police personnel manning the checkpoints to conduct properly searches, seizures and arrests. Checkpoints must have clear signage and be in properly lighted areas. Enforcement officers manning checkpoints must be in proper uniform with identification cards and nameplates. The checkpoint teams must have as team leader an officer with the rank of Inspector and higher. - GMANews.TV