Barangay officials and ronda tanod members pour out liquor from hundreds of bottles they confiscated in Barangay Tumpagon, this city, on Monday. Tumpagon officials have outlawed intoxicating drinks, except beer, tuba and cheap “medicinal wine,” in the village, raising questions on the legality of the barangay ordinance. (photo by John Paul Barsopia)
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By JOHN PAUL BARSOPIA
Contributor .

OFFICIALS of Barangay Tumpagon have outlawed liquor in the hinterland village, and they have gone to the extent of seizing these from stores and pouring out the intoxicating liquid from bottles.

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City hall officials said they were worried that Tumpagon officials were going extreme, saying there were questions on the legality.

Barangay chairman Cecilio Dagsaan confirmed that the Tumpagon council has approved a village law that prohibits the sale, distribution and drinking of liquor anywhere in the barangay.

The barangay officials however have been soft on beer, tuba and cheap “medicinal wine” which appeared to be exempted from the ban.

On Monday, village officials and ronda tanod members emptied liquor bottles, pouring out liters of intoxicating liquid on the ground in public during their flag-raising program.

Boxes of hard drinks were seized from the village’s sari-sari stores.

Officials said they were also checking vehicles and confiscating bottles of liquor from motorists.

Councilor Teodulfo Lao Jr. told the Gold Star Daily a barangay ordinance can only take effect once it is given the green light by the city council.

But in the case of Tumpagon’s liquor ban, he said, he could not recall that such an ordinance passed the city council.

Lao advised Tumpagon officials to slow down, cautioning them about legal repercussions.

Councilor Lordan Suan said officials of Barangay Tumpagon may be summoned and investigated by the city council’s blue ribbon committee.

Councilor George Goking said he would talk to the barangay chairman of Tumpagon, and the city council’s trade committee would ask the village officials to shed light on their crackdown on liquor.

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