Duterte: Behave or face military takeover
President Duterte warned of a takeover by the military and the police to strictly enforce quarantine measures should the public continue to violate the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
The President issued the warning after officials noted that more people have been going out of their homes despite the government's repeated appeal for them to stay home to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
In a public address on Thursday evening, Duterte asked the public to behave as he revealed that he has put the military and the police on standby.
"I am just asking for your disiplina, konti. Kasi pag ayaw ninyo, ayaw ninyong maniwala, mag take over ang military, pati ang pulis," he said.
(I am just asking you to be more disciplined because if not, believe me, the police and the
military will take over.)
"I am ordering them now to be ready. Ang pulis, pati ang military, ang mag-enforce sa social distance at 'yang curfew. Sila na."
(The police and the military will be enforcing social distancing and the curfew. They will take charge.)
Duterte said he will not be declaring martial law because a pandemic cannot trigger that particular special power. However, he said, he has to do something to protect people from the disease.
"Hindi nga naman ito martial law, pero parang martial law na rin (It's not martial law, but it's like it) in the sense that I have to impose something on you for your own good and for the good of the country and people," he said.
The President renewed his call to local government units (LGUs) to strictly enforce the ECQ.
"Ano man partido mo o ano man kulay mo, sumunod ka maski pag hindi, ang kaharap mo sunod military na at pulis." (Regardless of your political affiliation, just follow the order, or else next time you'll be facing the military and the police.) Stricter enforcement of ECQ The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday said it is ready for stricter implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said he will order the police and the military to take over the enforcement of the ECQ in Luzon as some Filipinos continue to ignore quarantine protocols.
"We will be stricter in the implementation of the lockdown. I will also direct the LGUs (local government units) to be very strict and impose
penalties on all violators of the lockdown. The PNP (Philippine National Police) will deploy more teams to arrest violators of ECQ, people involved in gambling activities, drinking in public, 'tupadas' (cockfighting), etc," he said.
"(When caught in) the act of violating the law, the PNP can arrest anyone including barangay officials. We will be prepared. If madami pa ding pasaway (many are still violating rules), we can also deploy soldiers if the situation would warrant," he added.
Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield commander Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar expressed readiness to adhere to the President's order if the need for a martial law-lockdown arises.
"While the situation has improved, there are still some people who violated the rules and even went to the extent of engaging in illegal cockfighting and drinking session. The JTF-COVID Shield is ready for any scenario and is always ready to comply with the
President's order," Eleazar said.
'Tough love'
The Philippine National Police (PNP) stands ready to implement a martial law-like lockdown as warned by President Duterte to address reports of rampant disobedience in government measures, a police spokesperson revealed Friday.
Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac, PNP spokesman, said they will continue to man the established quarantine control points with the help of the military, implement patrol operations, and arrest violators ahead of the expected expiration of the ECQ on April 30.
Lockdown is 'kalbaryo'
President Duterte said the prevailing ECQ is a "cruel” yet necessary burden that people must endure a little longer to contain the spread of COVID-19.
"I have to admit it. This thing about sequestration or quarantine is cruel, it's a cruel action by the government.
Hindi madali ito. Pati ako nasasaktan (This is not easy. Even I am hurt)," he said in his public address late Thursday night.
"Konting tiis nga. Ako mismo, sabi ko sa'yo...Ang masakit sa akin, ang nagbawal sa akin mag-land, ang anak ko." (Let's endure it for a little longer. What hurts me is that it was my daughter who did not allow me to land.)
Duterte admitted that he missed some family occasions as he remained stuck in Manila during the quarantine period.
But the President said he has no choice but follow the travel restrictions as part of the quarantine measures imposed in his hometown. These protocols that have been put in place are meant to protect the people of Davao City, he added.
He assured the public that he would lift the ECQ in Luzon if the country can get antibody treatment for the coronavirus.