By Raphaella Sarangaya

Thousands of citizens and event organizers clad in pink breached health protocols and restrictions as they gathered to support the tandem of Vice President Leni Robredo and Sen. Kiko Pangilinan at the Quezon City Memorial Circle on February 13, Sunday. 

According to the Quezon City government, the 20,000 individuals who attended the “Pink Caravan” to support Robredo’s presidential campaign violated minimum public health standards. Furthermore, the coordinators of the event did not strictly adhere to the signed agreements.

As stated by the local government on Sunday, the teeming pink sea of Robredo and her running mate Kiko Pangilinan’s supporters “resulted in a spillover crowd that violated several restrictions that were mutually agreed upon during pre-event coordination meetings.” 

Some of the restrictions they violated include not being able to control the surge of attendees who flocked at the Quezon Memorial Circle and not strictly complying with the requirements needed from the citizens to attend the said event.

“While crowd control is a highly complicated aspect of large gatherings, it is a test of discipline for the organizers and attendees to show that their chosen candidates observe the laws of the land,” the local government added. 

The Quezon City government also reminded all coordinators to take this responsibility more seriously in future events. 

On the other hand, Robredo’s camp acknowledges the concerns of the Quezon City government, extends their thanks for its vigilance, and vows to take full responsibility for the aftermath of the event. 

“While the organizers ensured that access to the immediate vicinity of the program proper was limited and that all attendees were advised to bring vaccination cards and observe health protocols, the sheer number of people that arrived was a challenge, for which we apologize,” said Barry Gutierrez, spokesperson of Robredo. 

The 20,000 individuals who showed up for the presidential aspirant’s “People Proclamation Rally” was four times more than their initial estimate of 5,000. 

References:

Mendoza, J. E. (2022, February 13). QC says ‘Pink Sunday’ crowd violated protocols; Robredo camp ‘takes responsibility’, apologizes. INQUIRER.net. https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1554143/qc-govt-says-pink-sunday-huge-crowd-violated-protocols-robredo-camp-takes-responsibility-apologises

‘Pink Sunday’: Robredo campaign rally draws thousands in vote-rich Quezon City. (2022, February 13). Philstar.com. https://www.philstar.com/headlines/2022/02/13/2160550/pink-sunday-robredo-campaign-rally-draws-thousands-vote-rich-quezon-city

Photo Source: Rappler.com