Thirty-four cinemagoers were arrested on Wednesday night for not standing during the singing of “Lupang Hinirang,” the Philippine national anthem, inside Cinema 2 of Xentro Mall in the town of Lemery in Batangas.
According to Inspector Hazel Luma-ang, information officer of the Batangas Provincial Police Office, members of the Lemery Police Station apprehended violators of Republic Act (RA) 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines in Cinema 2 at 2 p.m.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of the suspects for not standing at attention and for disrespecting the Philippine national anthem while it was being played prior to the showing of the movie titled “The How’s of Us,’” Luma-ang said.
The suspects were identified as: Kenneth Mendoza, John Aldrin Castro, Jerson Catapat, Mark Anthony Cabrera and Mark Gil Mercado, Michael Bautista, Reymundo Hernandez, Ron Jeric Ribot, Kent Vincent Amor, and Klen Aljohn Montenegro, Joshua Noche, Amony de Sogon, John Mark Villastas, Domingo Agojo And Juan Aldovino 2nd, Karen Decepeda, Angola Marie Dimayuga, Marie Joy Reyes, Cashmere Kyra Montenegro and Leny Jane Villanueva, Cathsien de Castro, Rose Ann de Castro, Mary Jane Lausa, Kimberly Martinez and Justine Mercado, Cynthia Mae Vergara, Donna Mae Catapang, Aileen Sinag, Marinette Cacanlalay, Maria Marcellana, Catherine Liday, Kyra Mae de Castro, Melody Megallon and Gladys Montenegro.
They are detained at the Lemery police station while appropriate charges are being prepared for filing in court today.
Section 38 of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines mandates that when the national anthem is played in a public gathering, the attending public shall sing the anthem with fervor.
“As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chests,” the code reads.
The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding “events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes.”
But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; local competitions; during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations; before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; and other occasions as may be allowed by the Institute.
The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic education institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.
Section 20 of the law also states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”
Penalties for any person who violates any of the provisions of RA 8491 shall, upon conviction, be punished by a fine of not less than P5,000.00 but not more than P20,000.00, or by imprisonment for not more than one (1) year, or both such fine and imprisonment, at the discretion of the court.
All citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at public gatherings.
Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest.
According to Inspector Hazel Luma-ang, information officer of the Batangas Provincial Police Office, members of the Lemery Police Station apprehended violators of Republic Act (RA) 8491 or the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines in Cinema 2 at 2 p.m.
“The operation resulted in the arrest of the suspects for not standing at attention and for disrespecting the Philippine national anthem while it was being played prior to the showing of the movie titled “The How’s of Us,’” Luma-ang said.
The suspects were identified as: Kenneth Mendoza, John Aldrin Castro, Jerson Catapat, Mark Anthony Cabrera and Mark Gil Mercado, Michael Bautista, Reymundo Hernandez, Ron Jeric Ribot, Kent Vincent Amor, and Klen Aljohn Montenegro, Joshua Noche, Amony de Sogon, John Mark Villastas, Domingo Agojo And Juan Aldovino 2nd, Karen Decepeda, Angola Marie Dimayuga, Marie Joy Reyes, Cashmere Kyra Montenegro and Leny Jane Villanueva, Cathsien de Castro, Rose Ann de Castro, Mary Jane Lausa, Kimberly Martinez and Justine Mercado, Cynthia Mae Vergara, Donna Mae Catapang, Aileen Sinag, Marinette Cacanlalay, Maria Marcellana, Catherine Liday, Kyra Mae de Castro, Melody Megallon and Gladys Montenegro.
They are detained at the Lemery police station while appropriate charges are being prepared for filing in court today.
Section 38 of the Flag and Heraldic Code of the Philippines mandates that when the national anthem is played in a public gathering, the attending public shall sing the anthem with fervor.
“As a sign of respect, all persons shall stand at attention and face the Philippine flag, if there is one displayed, and if there is none, they shall face the band or the conductor. At the first note, all persons shall execute a salute by placing their right palms over their left chests,” the code reads.
The national anthem, however, would not be allowed to be played and sung preceding “events of recreation, amusement, or entertainment purposes.”
But the anthem may be played during the following: international competitions where the Philippines is the host or has a representative; local competitions; during the “signing off” and “signing on” of radio broadcasting and television stations; before the initial and last screening of films and before the opening of theater performances; and other occasions as may be allowed by the Institute.
The Oath of Patriotism (Panatang Makabayan) must be recited after the singing of the national anthem in basic education institutions. The Pledge of Allegiance (Panunumpa ng Katapatan sa Watawat ng Pilipinas) may be recited as well, though the law did not specify who is required to do so.
Section 20 of the law also states: “The observance of the flag ceremony in official or civic gatherings shall be simple and dignified and shall include the playing or singing of the anthem in its original Filipino lyrics and march tempo.”
All citizens to stand at attention and sing with fervor, as a sign of respect, when the National Anthem is played at public gatherings.
Even moviegoers who do not stand up when the National Anthem is being played in cinemas will be sanctioned, as it empowers the security personnel and ushers in movie houses to arrest a violator and summon law enforcement officers to assist in conducting citizens' arrest.
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