The Makati City government has shut down Skye Bar and Restaurant, where celebrity host KC Montero and at least 113 other individuals were arrested for violating health protocols.
“On the orders of Mayor Abby Binay, we have closed down Skye Bar in Barangay Bel-Air for illegally operating and violating laws and protocols aimed to stop the spread of COVID-19,” said city chief legal officer Michael Camina.
On June 28, police arrested Montero, the bar owner, and other guests, most of them foreigners, who were caught drinking liquor and ignoring social distancing rules at the establishment.
Charges have been filed before the Makati City Prosecutor’s Office against those arrested for violating Executive Order No. 11, the Makati Revenue Code, and Republic Act 11332 (Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act).
“We strongly remind owners of bars in Makati City that they are not allowed to operate under current IATF (Inter-Agency Task Force) guidelines,” said Camina.
Camina said the city government requires all business establishments to submit a Notice of Re-Opening to the city’s Business Permits and Licensing Office within three days after reopening.
He added the notice may be submitted using Makati BPLO portal (bit.ly/MakatiBPLOReopening), the city’s website (www.makati.gov.ph), and the Makatizen App.
“As we have repeatedly warned, we will not tolerate those who willfully put themselves and others in harm’s way by violating laws and protocols intended to curb the pandemic and promote a COVID-free city and nation,” Camina said.
“We also call on law-abiding citizens to be vigilant and report to us, through hotline 168 or Makatizen App, any person or establishment violating the law so that they can be held liable and meted with the appropriate punishment as provided by the law,” he added.
The government placed Metro Manila under general community quarantine with restaurants only allowed to operate at 30 percent of its regular capacity. Bars are still prohibited from reopening.
Recently, Metro Manila police director Brig. Gen. Debold Sinas and other high-ranking police officials were slapped with criminal cases before the Taguig City prosecutor’s office because of the gathering which the PNP described as a mañanita or early morning birthday serenade.
The accused policemen were charged for not following quarantine rules under Republic Act 11332.