MANILA — Starting now, no helmets, balaclavas, caps, hoodies, face masks, or tinted visors are allowed inside government offices, commercial establishments, and public spaces in Manila—unless necessary.

The rule comes from Ordinance No. 9134, also called the Anti-Balaclava Ordinance, aimed at “deterring crime and helping law enforcement,” according to Mayor Francisco “Isko Moreno” Domagoso.

Violators face escalating fines:

• ₱1,000 for the first offense

• ₱3,000 for the second

• ₱5,000 for the third and succeeding offenses, plus possible 15-day jail time and a recommendation to revoke driver’s licenses.

Exemptions include:

• Public health emergencies requiring face masks

• Motorcyclists stopped at traffic lights or by enforcers

• Law enforcers on duty

• Those with serious illnesses

• Religious headgear like turbans

But not everyone agrees. The youth group Samahan ng Progresibong Kabataan slammed the ordinance as “an infringement on basic human rights,” saying it targets ordinary people instead of addressing bigger issues like poverty and public safety.