DILG clears San Juan Mayor Zamora in Baguio checkpoint incident

DILG Secretary Eduardo Año has cleared San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora of liability in an incident where his convoy allegedly bypassed a quarantine checkpoint in Baguio City.

Año stated that the initial probe indicates no abuse of authority or governance issue on Zamora's part.

The DILG Secretary attributed the incident to miscommunication and arrogance from the police escorts, not the Mayor.

Mayor Zamora has already apologized to Baguio City Mayor Benjamin Magalong, who has accepted it and will not file any complaint.

Zamora's group reportedly underwent screening protocols upon arrival, despite the initial checkpoint issue.

Baguio City Mayor Magalong had reported that Zamora's convoy of six vehicles, including uniformed personnel, was flagged down at the Kennon Road checkpoint.

The driver of the lead vehicle allegedly informed checkpoint personnel that they were part of a convoy and then sped off.

Magalong, a former police general, noted that Mayor Zamora was asleep during the incident and the police escort took it upon himself to ignore the checkpoint measures.

Zamora's trip to Baguio was to bring his wife, who has stage 3 breast cancer, to her family's old house to rest.