Makabayan chairman Nery Colmenares slammed on Saturday, Jan. 8 the directive of President Duterte for the arrest of unvaccinated individuals caught outside their homes, saying that the restriction is “unjust.”
Colmenares also questioned the legality of the directive as he pointed out that the “law on identifiable diseases only covers those confirmed to be infected.”
“Unvaccinated people are not proven to be infected. So how can they be part of this sanction when the law’s definition does not even cover them?” said Colmenares, a senatorial aspirant.
Duterte had directed barangay officials to use their authority to arrest unvaccinated individuals who would refuse to stay home despite restrictions imposed on them.
Interior and Local Government Secretary Eduardo M. Año explained that since barangay officials are persons in authority and mandated to follow Duterte’s order or enforce ordinances passed by their respective local councils, they can restrict the movement of unvaccinated persons.
So far the local governments of Quezon City, Caloocan City, Valenzuela City, Pateros, Las Piñas City, San Juan and Taguig have already passed ordinances prohibiting the unvaccinated to go outside their homes unless for essential purposes.
Colmenares did not comment on the enforcement of the ordinances but assailed Duterte for restricting the unvaccinated to their homes.
“Many people, particularly those in the provinces, want to get vaccinated yet there are inadequate supplies in these areas. With more localities increasing their alert levels that are far from Metro Manila, this supply issue needs to be addressed,” the former congressman said.
“It's also important to note that the law on identifiable diseases only covers those confirmed to infected.” he stated.
“I cannot understand where President Duterte gets all these ideas for his policies, especially since he wants a lockdown on all unvaccinated across the country. If President Duterte wants people to get vaccinated, he should ensure an adequate supply of vaccines all over the country to ensure everyone's safety,” Colmenares said.
He added: .”And just the same, he must be the first to assure people that vaccines are safe and the government will take care of people, should there be adverse effects. “