Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte has ordered the City Epidemiology and Surveillance Unit (CESU) to immediately conduct contact tracing of those who trooped to television host Willie Revillame’s studio from Wednesday evening to early Thursday morning.
“We will conduct contact tracing and will offer free testing to those who gathered in front of the studio. I am inviting those who may not have been listed to submit themselves for testing at any of our community-based testing centers so we can prevent the community transmission of COVID-19,” she said.
While Revillame did not announce that he would distribute money, fans stormed the Wil Tower along Eugenio Lopez Drive, hoping the host would continue his annual tradition of providing financial assistance during his birthday.
The TV host called Belmonte to express his apprehension over the probable gathering.
“I assured him I would send enforcers over to his place to control any crowd and make sure minimum health standards are followed,” Belmonte said.
The camp of Revillame provided Belmonte with a list of those who went to Wil Tower.
Based on the report submitted by the Quezon City Police District, Brig. Gen. Danilo Macerin personally inspected the area Wednesday night, and reiterated to everyone to always observe health protocols.
On Thursday at 4 a.m., Barangay South Triangle personnel, led by ex-oficio Roque Orongan and the police officers, dispersed the crowd of about 2,000 people.