President Duterte has ordered a more stringent enforcement of the country's health protocols, directing mayors "to do more" and the police to arrest those who break rules on wearing of masks and physical distancing.
As the country's cases of infections continued to increase, the President admitted the apprehension of violators may bring "a little shame” but will give “lesson for all time" to the quarantine violators.
Disobeying the national policy on health measures can be a "serious crime" during this public health emergency since the person might a carrier of the viral disease, according to the President.
"We'll have to ask our police to be more strict. Hulihin talaga (Arrest them). A little shame would put them on notice forever. Sino ba naman gusto mahuli ka (Who would want to catch you) but if you are brought to the police station and detained there, that would give you lesson for all time," he added.
The President admitted that he “hates to arrest people” over a mere violation of a rule on mask wearing and physical distancing but the government needs the cooperation of the public to stem the spread of the disease.
Duterte also asked the mayors to ensure the strict implementation of health measures to curb the transmission of the disease. He cautioned that that those who fail to carry out their duty may face suspension or even termination.
“The mayors have to do more. They have do more. They have to take care…I’m addressing myself to Secretary Año I think if there are so may violations in a particular place and well of course the police is lacking in the enforcement of inadequate response to the rules that we are enforcing simply because we want people protected, puwede naman siguro patawag sila (they may be summoned)," he said.
(ROBINSON NIÑAL JR./PRESIDENTIAL PHOTO / MANILA BULLETIN)
"Dito sa Pilipinas, pag sinabi ng whatever department pag sinabi na ganun, ganun talaga (In the Philippines, if with a department issues an order, that's the way it is) You can enforce otherwise they will be guilty of simply gross negligence or outright…If the Secretary of Local Government will deem it necessary for your wanton, then you can be suspended and as a matter of fact, you can be terminated," he said.
In the meeting, Interior and Local Government Eduardo Año informed the President they already met with local government officials and reached an agreement on the enforcement of localized lockdown in areas with a spike in coronavirus cases.
He said the local officials, including governors and mayors, have also agreed to craft a common policy on the penalties for quarantine violators, including days of detention and amount of fine.
As of July 20, the country has recorded 69,898 cases of coronavirus with 1,835 deaths and 23,072 recoveries.
Free masks
As a precaution against the coronavirus outbreak, Duterte said he is willing to distribute free masks to the public.
He offered to give away masks on Tuesday while asking people to show patience and make sacrifices in complying with health protocols to avoid getting infected with the coronavirus.
“Masks, ito importante talaga. Ngayon kung wala kayo, I will try to buy as many as I can afford kung kaya ko. Ibigay namin sa inyo libre but wear it (Masks are very important. Now if you don'thave any, I will try to buy as many as I can afford. I will give them away for free but wear it),” Duterte said during his televised public address Tuesday.
“Maski gamitin mo 2 beses, okay man o spray-an mo ng alcohol pagkatapos (You may use it twice, just spray it with alcohol),” he said.
Duterte suggested in jest that if people don't have any disinfectant, they may submerge the face masks or their hands in gasoline or diesel.
“P* i COVID na yan. Hindi uubra 'yan diyan. Totoo. Kung wala kayo, if you want to disinfect, maghanap ng gasolina. Babad mo lang kamay mo. Layo mo lang , huwag sa look ng bahay ninyo (That son of a b* COVID. That will not work. If you don't have any, if you want to disinfect, find some gasoline.
Submerge your hands but keep it away from others. Not inside your homes),” he said in jest.
As the world eagerly waits for the coronavirus vaccine, the President also appealed to the public to show a little patience and make some sacrifices by following the health measures.
“In the meantime, ang importante dito is your perseverance. You must persevere during this time. Simplehin ko patience," he said.
Turning religious in his remarks, Duterte asked the public to offer their sacrifices to the Lord. He reminded them that Jesus Christ also suffered
for the mankind’s salvation.
He assured that the public that the Lord will not abandon the Philippines, a predominantly Christian nation.
“Marunong ang Diyos. Alam niya hindi tayo niya pababayaan, especially Pilipinas kasi Kristiyano tayo (The Lord is wise. He knows he will not abandon the Philippines because we are Christians),” he said.
“Magsakripisyo tayo ng kaunti. Tutal ang ating idol nagsakripisyo din. Pinaghahampas-hampas, ipinako pa sa krus. Tayo pasimba-simba lang, paluhod-luhod lang so dedicate it to the Lord that you also suffer for the country (Just make some sacrifices. Besides, our idol made sacrifices. He was scourged and crucified while we just hear mass and kneel so dedicate it to the Lord that you also suffer for the country),” he said.
Under the community quarantine guidelines, the government task force has mandated all persons “to wear face masks, ear loop masks, indigenous, reusable, do-it-yourself masks, or face shields, handkerchiefs, or such other protective equipment or any combination thereof, which can effectively lessen the transmission of COVID-19, whenever they go out of their residences.”
These guidelines are subject to “fair and humane penalties or punishments that may be imposed by LGUs or implemented by law enforcement agencies.”