ANGELES CITY – The Angeles City Police Office (ACPO) said they will arrest individuals who will violate the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) as the nation observes lenten season minus the “Pabasa” and penitents.
This after penitents were allegedly planning to hold their yearly ritual amid the nationwide lockdown.
Col. Joyce Patrick Sangalang, City Director of ACPO, said violators will be arrested as the government restricts movement or public gatherings in a bid to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus or COVID-19 which already infected more than 3,700 Filipinos.
In Mabalacat City, a lone penitent was arrested after a 19-year old flagellant whipped himself under the searing heat of the sun in Madapdap Resettlement on Monday.
The barefooted and hooded man was immediately arrested by responding Mabalacat policemen including some onlookers.
The lenten season usually highlights the passion of Jesus Christ during Good Fridays of the Holy Week but the re-enactment of the crucifixion rites in the City of San Fernando and Angeles City, specifically in Barangay Pampanga had already been cancelled in the face of the pandemic.
The Department of Health (DOH) has also recommended to all Local Government Units to cancel public gatherings to contain COVID-19.