Lacson tells PNP to exercise caution at checkpoints
Published Mar 15, 2020 12:00 am
By Hannah Torregoza
Senator Panfilo “Ping” Lacson urged the Philippine National Police (PNP) to exercise caution in enforcing community quarantines.
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson
(CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Lacson pointed out Republic Act 9271 or the Quarantine Act of 2004—which replaced a very old Republlic Act 123 of 1947—is silent on the movements of persons in the streets as it only covers domestic and international seaports and airports. “As the community quarantine to address the COVID-19 threat starts, the PNP should exercise caution in handling the situation,” Lacson said. “Law enforcement authorities may not be legally equipped to conduct arrest unless local ordinances are available for its enforcement,” he said. The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said lawmakers, at this point, may consider amendments to quarantine law. “Congress, for its part, may need to amend the said law to adopt to this new normal, the COVID-19, and God knows what else would come to hit us in the future. Hopefully we’ve seen the last of its kind even as we pray that cure will come sooner than soon,” Lacson said. “Having said that, the people are enjoined to fully cooperate. After all, these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures,” he said. Earlier, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, also a former PNP chief, expressed his support to the National Capital Region Police Office’s (NCRPO) plan to arrest people who refuse to follow the community quarantine guidelines. Dela Rosa said the people should not be stubborn at a time the government is seriously exhausting all efforts in containing the COVID-19. “This is a global emergency so bawal ang pasaway (stubbornness is not allowed). Hindi ito panahon para maging pilosopo, panahon ito para maging masunurin at matulungin sa ating gobyerno (This is not the time to be arrogant, it’s time to obey and help our government),” he pointed out. “We need to sacrifice in order to survive this pandemic. It is a necessary measure.,” Dela Rosa stressed. But Dela Rosa said those arrested should be immediately sent back to their homes.
Senator Panfilo M. Lacson(CZAR DANCEL / MANILA BULLETIN FILE PHOTO) Lacson pointed out Republic Act 9271 or the Quarantine Act of 2004—which replaced a very old Republlic Act 123 of 1947—is silent on the movements of persons in the streets as it only covers domestic and international seaports and airports. “As the community quarantine to address the COVID-19 threat starts, the PNP should exercise caution in handling the situation,” Lacson said. “Law enforcement authorities may not be legally equipped to conduct arrest unless local ordinances are available for its enforcement,” he said. The former Philippine National Police (PNP) chief said lawmakers, at this point, may consider amendments to quarantine law. “Congress, for its part, may need to amend the said law to adopt to this new normal, the COVID-19, and God knows what else would come to hit us in the future. Hopefully we’ve seen the last of its kind even as we pray that cure will come sooner than soon,” Lacson said. “Having said that, the people are enjoined to fully cooperate. After all, these are extraordinary times that call for extraordinary measures,” he said. Earlier, Senator Ronald “Bato” Dela Rosa, also a former PNP chief, expressed his support to the National Capital Region Police Office’s (NCRPO) plan to arrest people who refuse to follow the community quarantine guidelines. Dela Rosa said the people should not be stubborn at a time the government is seriously exhausting all efforts in containing the COVID-19. “This is a global emergency so bawal ang pasaway (stubbornness is not allowed). Hindi ito panahon para maging pilosopo, panahon ito para maging masunurin at matulungin sa ating gobyerno (This is not the time to be arrogant, it’s time to obey and help our government),” he pointed out. “We need to sacrifice in order to survive this pandemic. It is a necessary measure.,” Dela Rosa stressed. But Dela Rosa said those arrested should be immediately sent back to their homes.