Youths without masks, social distancing take over town party in Cotabato

Young revelers took over a town party in Tulunan, Cotabato, crowding the venue without wearing face masks.

According to Mark Salazar’s “24 Oras” report on Tuesday, the incident happened during the celebration of Tulunan's 60th founding anniversary.

A video shows the young people dancing and partying without face masks and social distancing during the event.

Authorities said the program ended at 10 p.m., but the youths arrived and continued the party.

“Pagkatapos ng employees' night hindi na maiiwasan sa tingin ko kasi sa dami ng nagpunta, ang sound system na naiwan, ay ginamit siguro ng mga kabataan para mag-disco sila,” Tulunan, Cotabato Mayor Reuel “Pip” Limbungan said.

(After the employees' night I think it was inevitable because of the number of people who went there, and the sound system that was left behind was probably used by the youth to party.)

“Siguro more or less, mag-alas dose y medya ang disco nila natigil. Inaamin ko sa panahon ngayon, uhaw na uhaw ang mga tao sa ganyang mga bagay, so kahit anong gawin ng mga peacekeeping forces diyan at police mismo, so ayun, nahinto siya mga 12:30 na,” he added.

(Maybe more or less, at half past twelve the party ended. I admit that people right now are craving for such things, and the peacekeeping forces and the police could not do anything. It stopped around 12:30 a.m.)

Asked if there will be sanctions on the organizers of the party, Limbungan has not yet replied as of posting.

The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases has placed Cotabato City under Alert Level 2 from November 22 to 30.

Under Alert Level 2, establishments will be allowed to operate indoors at 50% capacity with additional 10% capacity if they have a safety seal. For outdoors, they will be allowed at 70%. — Richa Noriega/BM, GMA News