Duterte, doctors and revolution

Citing the increasing number of health workers who are getting sick, 40 medical groups including the Philippine College of Physicians proposed that Metro Manila and its environs be placed under the strictest enhanced community quarantine so authorities will have time to refine pandemic control strategies.

Looking tired and exasperated, President Duterte last Sunday lashed out at the frontliners and other opposition critics. The President accused them of trying to “demean” the government and even fomenting a revolution.

In this fight to contain the dreaded coronavirus, scores of doctors and other health workers have died. They were motivated by the noblest of intentions when they urged the President to have a twoweek breathing spell to prevent them from getting infected due to the surge of patients in hospitals.

The doctors are right. The surge of Covid-19 cases is alarmingly on the rise. Lest we forget, the Philippines is now at the top of rising Covid-19 cases in Southeast Asia, next to number one, Indonesia.

In this hour of crisis, we need a sense of direction and inspiration from the national leadership. But sadly, Duterte in a televised address last Sunday, told the doctors: “We do not forget you. There would not have been need for you to go into... raising your hands as if you are saying revolution, revolution. Now, if you think this can be solved by revolution, then by all means, we start it. I prefer that… xxx.”

Such inflammatory statement cannot inspire or intimidate. It will only cause division to our long suffering people.