QC resident arrested after getting food delivery outside his home

A resident of Barangay Apolonio Samson in Quezon City was arrested by village watchmen after he tried to get the food that he ordered from a delivery rider just outside their house.

According to Vonne Aquino’s report on “State of the Nation” on Wednesday, LJ Cabangis only went outside his home because the rider said he was getting lost.

Cabangis said village watchmen then tried to arrest him.

“Tapos nakita ko po ‘yong mga tanod papunta sa akin tapos noong papunta na po sila, umatras po ako sa may tapat ng bahay ko. Sabi ko kukuhanin ko lang ‘yong delivery ko tapos ang sabi sumama na raw ako sa kanila,” he said.

(I saw them approaching me so I backed out a bit. I told them I will just pick up my order but they told me I should come with them.)

Meanwhile, one of the watchmen said they already saw the rider but Cabangis tried to run from them which made them suspicious.

“Kung siya po ay nakipag-usap ng maayos, ‘di naman po ganoon kalupit ang barangay para hindi ikunsidera na siya ay may order ng GrabFood,” Mark Magsalin, barangay administrator, said.

(If he approached us nicely, it wouldn’t have led to that. The barangay officials would consider his reason because he ordered from GrabFood.)

Cabangis said he will file a complaint against the watchmen.

Earlier, Malacañang clarified that food delivery services are allowed to operate beyond curfew hours during the enhanced community quarantine at National Capital Region Plus bubble.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque also appealed to ECQ enforcers to not prohibit food delivery riders at checkpoints.

Under ECQ, which is in effect in the capital region until April 4, food delivery is considered essential service and are not restricted by the curfew. -- Ma. Angelica Garcia/ BAP, GMA News