By Genalyn Kabiling and Argyll Cyrus Geducos

President Duterte has warned against harming the country’s health workers battling the coronavirus outbreak, saying he has ordered the police to hunt down those behind the attacks and take revenge.

The President has vowed to “support and defend” the health frontliners after learning of reports of harassment and violence against them.

He has ordered the police, military, and even barangay officials to shoot those who will cause trouble during the distribution of relief goods, especially if they put the lives of law enforcers at risk. He also directed the police to conduct patrols and throw the same chemicals used by the attackers of health workers

The President’s latest warning came following the violent attack against a nurse in Tacurong City, Sultan Kudarat. Five suspects reportedly splattered bleach on the face of the nurse while he was on his way to St. Louis Hospital.

Earlier, 20 protesters in Quezon City were arrested while demanding food aid from the government early Wednesday amid the enhanced community quarantine implemented in Luzon.

“Let this be a warning to all. Follow government at this time because it is really critical that we have order. And do not harm the health workers, the doctors, and everything because that is a serious crime,” he said in a taped public address Wednesday night.

“It is getting worse. So once again I’m telling you the seriousness of the problem and that you must listen,” he said Wednesday evening.

“Sabi ko sa pulis, siguro bawal man ‘yan pero ako na ang sasagot. Ibuhos mo uli doon sa nagbuhos sa mga doctor pati nurses. O kung kaya mo, ipainom mo lahat para matapos na ang problema natin (I told the police, even if it is wrong I will take responsibility, pour the liquid onto those who attack the doctors and nurses. If you can, make them drink it so our problem is over),” he said.

Some health workers also reportedly faced harassment while others were forcibly evicted from their homes amid concerns they were suspected carriers of the coronavirus.

In his latest remarks, Duterte lamented the reports of violence and harassment at health workers. He reminded the culprits that these doctors and nurses will eventually save their lives in the event they get infected with the virus.

“Ito namang isa, itong mga trabahante, mga doktor, mga nurse, health workers, attendants and all, eh hindi makauwi ng bahay, tinatapunan ninyo ng kung ano-anong mga chemicals na nakakasira ng katawan. Mas una silang mamatay kay ‘yung sa pasyente doon sa COVID (The doctors, nurses, health workers, attendants and all could not go home. Dangerous chemicals are thrown at them. They will die before the patient infected with COVID),” he said.

Refusing to tolerate violence, Duterte told the police to make the rounds and ensure the safety of these frontliners.

“I am ordering the police to go around. Huwag kayong mag-istambay diyan sa istasyon. Maglakad kayo, tandem, at maghanap kayo ng mga taong bastos (Don’t stay at the police station. Go around in tandem and look for these rude persons),” he said.

“At kung mahuli mo, kung ano ‘yung binubuhos niya doon sa health worker o sa doktor, ibuhos mo rin sa kanya para tabla. Eh bakit? Ikaw lang ba ang marunong? ‘Di tikman mo rin ‘yung ginagawa mo and see if it would make you happy (If you arrest them, pour the liquid they threw at the health worker or doctor so it is even. Why? You’re the only smart one here? Better endure what you did and see if it would make you happy),” Duterte added.

Don’t complicate matters

Malacañang assured the public that the government will follow the law but asked them not to complicate the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) situation in the country by resorting to violence.

Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles issued the statement after President Duterte ordered the police, military, and even barangay officials to shoot to dead those who will cause trouble during the distribution of assistance to those affected by the enhanced community quarantine.

Nograles appealed to the public not to make a public health issue into a peace and order issue. He, however, assured that the government will follow the law in keeping peace and order.

“Government will follow what is legal, (what is) right, and we ask for everyone’s cooperation,” he said Thursday.

Wait patiently

The President, likewise, asked the public to patiently wait for food assistance as the government’s supply was limited. He also asked them to not cause trouble despite the delay.

“Ang ating supply, hanggang diyan lang ‘yan ‘yung inabot, kasi hindi natin alam ganun kabilis. So we are trying to manage na lahat magkaroon equally,” he said. (Our supply is limited, we didn’t know that it would run out this fast. So we are trying to manage that everyone will have an equal share.)

“Pero maghintay kayo. Huwag ninyong gamitin ang pwersa (But you must wait. Do not use force). I am addressing the left na ‘yung pambabastos ninyo, ‘yung (and their criticisms) slamming about the distribution.

“Magtiis na lang siguro kayo ng delayed delivery, pero dadating ‘yan at hindi ka magugutom. Hindi ka mamamatay sa gutom (Just bear with the delayed delivery because it will come anyway. You will not go hungry. You will not die from hunger),” he said.