No Leisure Trips ALOUD

 

Herminio Lopez Roque, Jr., more popularly known as Harry Roque, Presidential Spokesperson (with a Cabinet position) as well as the head of the Strategic Communications Task Group of the National Task Force COVID-19, once again figured in another controversy, this time by going on a “side-trip” to Ocean Adventure, thereby violating health protocols to prevent the spread of the China (Wuhan) Coronavirus aka COVID-19.

 

People found out about this ‘misadventure’ when Ocean Adventure posted pictures of Roque’s visit on their social media account, which were subsequently deleted immediately when social media went buzzing with negative reactions. But people were quick to take and save screenshots, aptly called “resibo” (an expression popularized by Joven Laurio of Pinoy Ako Blog [PAB]) as proof of what has transpired.

 

Ocean Adventure, where dolphins, sea lions and various other animals are trained to ‘work for a living’ is a park with a marine theme. Located inside the Subic Bay Freeport Zone (the former US Naval Base), it is operated by Subic Bay Marine Exploratorium, Inc (“SBMEI”).

 

In his defense, Roque emphasized the point that he posed with dolphins, hence no violations were committed. According to him, the side trip was done while en route to his Bataan farm. He avers that he has APOR status (authorized person outside residence) and granted permission to travel to enable him to attend to his agri–business.

 

#CTTO, grabbed from a post on Twitter

However, at the time this happened, unnecessary travel and leisure trips are still banned despite the easing of quarantine measures in Metro Manila.

 

Crafted in response to the pandemic, the current rules have penalized the marginalized, some of whom, including a 72 year old jeepney driver, were immediately jailed, but prominent personalities/government officials such as Senator Koko Pimentel, OWWA Deputy Executive Director Mocha Uson, and General Debold Sinas have violated the same health and quarantine protocols but have not been punished for their infringements. 

Harry Roque just added his name to this list of The Untouchables.