A July 10 post on social media got a bar owner in Davao City into trouble after the accompanying photos showed a number of minors drinking what appears to be alcoholic beverages inside his establishment.
The photo came with an appeal made by the mother of one of the minors pictured drinking with a group of other minors inside the bar at the corner of Padre Gomez and Palma Gil Streets.
The mother, who said she is an overseas Filipino worker (OFW), said her child’s frequent drinking “is really a problem, especially that I am working abroad…”
The Vices Regulatory Unit has identified the bar owner as Rolanjay Mistral Artiaga.
In a July 11 letter to Artiaga, VRU chief Voltaire Engracia, ordered the payment of P3000 for violation of Davao City Ordinance No. 064-02 or the Ordinance Prohibiting the selling or allowing minors purchase alcoholic beverages and Section 7 of the Davao City Ordinance No. 0292-06 or the Children’s Welfare Code.
The VRU also warned Artiaga of possible legal actions if he fails to comply with the mandatory fine for first-time offenders — to be settled within three days.
“Failure to do so will mean the filing of appropriate charges in court,” Engracia said.
Earlier, Mayor Inday Sara Duterte has warned she would order the closure of establishments that will violate the ordinances covering the selling and consumption of alcoholic drinks and smoking in public places. CIO
