Philippine National Police (PNP) Chief Gen. Guillermo Eleazar admitted Saturday, May 29, that he personally was not in favor of arresting violators of minimum health standards and safety protocols.
However, he also acknowledged that such measure needs to be done in order to keep the public safe from the threats of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
"Maski tayo, as much as possible, ayaw natin ang mang-aresto pero kung ito ang kailangan para masigurong ligtas sa COVID-19 ang ating mga komunidad at matuto sumunod sa minimum public health safety protocols ang ilan nating mga kababayan na may katigasan ang ulo, gagawin nating mang-aresto (As much as possible, we do not want to make arrests but if it is needed to ensure the safety of our communities from COVID-19 and teach our hardheaded countrymen to follow the minimum public health safety protocols, then we will do it)," Eleazar said.
Eleazar, a known disciplinarian, made the remark after the Commission on Human Rights (CHR) reminded the PNP that respect for human rights and the rule of law should be the guiding principle in arresting violators of minimum public health safety standards and quarantine protocols.
The CHR expressed concern about human rights violations in such arrests after President Duterte ordered law enforcers to arrest individuals who were not wearing their face masks properly while in public places.
Duterte also instructed the police to put behind bars barangay chairpersons who fail to enforce quarantine protocols, especially the prohibition on mass gatherings. This, after the President was told that social activities like parties and drinking sessions have become rampant in Metro Manila and nearby areas.
These violations include the viral barangay boxing event during a fiesta in Manila and the gathering of individuals at "Ciudad sa Gubat" resort in Caloocan City earlier this month.
"I would like to assure the CHR that our personnel are aware of their accountability and responsibility to always abide by police operating procedures and uphold human rights in their operations. May mga mekanismo po kaming nakalatag upang masigurong nasusunod po ng ating kapulisan ang mga protocols (We have mechanisms in place to ensure that our policemen are following our protocols)," said the PNP Chief.
Eleazar insisted that the PNP is committed to follow the proper operational procedures for the arrest of quarantine violators.
He added that the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) have also crafted guidelines for the arrest of quarantine violators but these have yet to be received by the PNP leadership.
"Dati naman na po tayong may batas o ordinansa na pinagbabasehan ng mga pag-arestong ating ginagawa. Mas pinaigting lang po natin ngayon ang pagpapatupad nito dahil talagang marami pa rin ang pasaway sa ating mga kababayan (We've long had laws or ordinances that we use as our basis in the arrests that we carry out. We only intensified its implementation since there are still many people who violate them)," Eleazar stated.