Kuerks Bar Closed

For violating the city ordinances on tax, liquor and anti-noise, the controversial Kuerks Restaurant and Bar located along Pelaez Street, was padlocked by the Cebu City Government with the closure order served Tuesday.

City hall employees from the Prevention Restoration Order Beautification Enhancement (PROBE) headed by Ms. Raquel Arce, together with some representatives from the City Treasurer’s Office (CTO) and the Police officers with City Hall beat media, went to the Kuerks Restobar for its closure at exactly 2 o’clock in the afternoon.

Arce has clarified that she just implemented the closure order signed by Cebu City Mayor Michael Rama upon receiving it the same day at 1:30 in the afternoon because the closure order stated for its immediate implementation. She further emphasized that the Kuerks Restobar management is given the due process to answer the notice given to them last Friday July 12, adding that the closure order was made the day after they failed to answer and the 72 hours grace period already lapsed.

The Kuerks Restobar became controversial after the bloody incident which happened last July 7 involving a minor who was injured after being hit by a stone on his face by primary suspect City Councilor Gerardo ‘Gerry’ Carillo, who is allegedly the owner of the bar.

The closure order was recommended by the CTO after they found out that Kuerks Restobar management has failed to renew their business permit.

Juanita Monina Paines, local revenue collection officer of CTO shared that based on their record, the Kuerks Restobar owner named to a certain Aznar did not renew their business permit but the Knock Box which is also a Restobar and located just beside the Kuerks has another owner named to a certain Flores has renewed their business permit, adding that the two Restobars are different establishment with different owners.

Paines further said that the CTO recommendation for the closure order of Kuerks Restobar has nothing to do with the incident involving Councilor Carillo, adding that they along with other concerned offices in the city government, are already monitoring with other bars and establishments in the city who violated the city ordinances.

Looking back, the city has also closed a known lone Cheetah gay bar in Cebu City in the previous days for violating the city’s anti-indecency ordinance.

Furthermore, the case involving Councilor Carillo is still being investigated by the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) after his request, because the victim’s father and brother is connected in the Philippine National Police (PNP). As of press time the case is yet to be solved, that is if the victim’s family will pushed through with the case and will not adhere for amicable settlement.

Meanwhile, upon hearing the closing of the said establishment, Mr. Clyde Cuesta, 27 and the Retobar’s supplier of Tequilla went to the Restobar and also witnessed the happening and eventually asked to pull-out their recently delivered supplies.

During the closure of the Restobar, some of their workers were spotted inside but refuses to received the closure order prompting the PROBE members to post it in the wall outside the Restobar. Some of them said that they will use their exit door in getting out of the building.

Moreover, the city will monitor the Kuerk’s Restobar  which had its last opening  July 15, Monday, and if it will still operate that is another violation that  will be reported to the Cebu City Legal Office for their appropriate action. (By: Greggy Jiggs P. Senados, PIO Staff)