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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider Duterte bats for substitute to lockdowns: 'I don't like it, too'

Duterte bats for substitute to lockdowns: 'I don't like it, too'

Published Aug 17, 2021 01:34 pm

If only he had a choice, President Duterte said he would shun away from stricter quarantine measures being enforced by his administration amid the coronavirus pandemic.

President Rodrigo Duterte delivers his Talk to the People address on August 16, 2021. (Malacañang)

In his Talk to the People aired late Monday night, Duterte admitted he also hates lockdowns, but he said it needs to be imposed for the protection of Filipinos from COVID-19.

“Gusto ko lang malaman ng tao na ayaw ko rin ‘yan (I just want the people to know I also don’t like that). And if there is a substitute for it, I will readily adopt it,” he said.

The Chief Executive appeared to be apologetic and mindful of the public welfare following the reimposition of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Metro Manila and some provinces from August 6 to 20.

The ECQ—the strictest quarantine classification in the Philippines—is currently in place for two weeks because of the rising COVID-19 cases caused by the highly contagious Delta variant.

READ: Palace: 29.31% of ‘ayuda’ for ECQ-hit families in NCR distributed

The spread of COVID-19 infections in past days has brought the pandemic in the country to its worst situation again, with 14,610 new cases on Monday, one of highest since the virus outbreak.

Duterte sought for understanding from the people over the more stringent lockdown.

He explained the ECQ implementation is highly needed at this time due to the spread of COVID-19 that must be addressed.

READ: DOH logs 14,610 new COVID-19 cases

“It is not acceptable to everybody. It is not popular and people will hate me, but then I said my job is to do exactly what I am now trying to implement,” he said.

“I have to do what I have to do,” the President stressed even as this will cost his life.

“I leave you with a message of goodwill na patayin man ninyo ako, wala akong magawa (that even you kill me, I can’t do anything.) I have to do what I think would protect the Filipino people,” Duterte said.

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President Duterte ECQ substitute Metro Manila covid-19 lockdown
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