ILOILO City – Policemen of Silay City in Negros Occidental “acted in good faith” when they paraded residents caught violating the metro’s facemask ordinance to stem the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
“It was for their welfare given that we are still in the middle of the pandemic. Health protocols have to be observed,” said Major Rollie Pondevilla, Silay City police chief.
Thursday last week, Silay policemen apprehended 39 individuals in various patrol operations for stepping out of their homes without facemask – a violation of City Ordinance No. 03, Series of 20201, or the “Silay City COVID-19 Counter Measure Ordinance.”
That same day, Silay City police station’s Police Community Relations (PCR) unit posted on Facebook a video and several photos of the rule breakers being “paraded” with arms raised forward from the headquarters to a nearby auditorium.
At the auditorium, violators, according to the PCR, were asked to stand in front of a coffin; they were warned they could end up as victims of COVID-19 if they defy health protocols.
“It was neither a shame campaign nor a human rights issue. That was just a warning for others violating standard health and safety protocols, especially the non-wearing of facemasks and (not following) social distancing,” the PCR stated.
Pondevilla also said it was necessary to ensure that proper social distancing was observed.
The residents walked for only 15 to 20 meters, from the police station to the auditorium, he added.
Instead of imposing a P1,000 fine, Pondevillla said violators were instead told to attend a seminar on the ordinance.
“We even gave them facemasks before allowing them to go home right after the seminar,” the Silay police chief said.
He appealed to the public not to put malice on what happened.
Meanwhile, the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) maintained the Silay cops did not committed human rights abuses.
“Maybe there was a misinterpretation of the video that was uploaded on social media,” said Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-6 spokesperson.
The Commission on Human Rights’ (CHR) Western Visayas office launched an investigation on the incident which it described as “cruel, inhuman and degrading.”
The punishment, according to the commission, was prohibited under Republic Act No. 9745 (Anti-Torture Act) and barred by an international convention against torture signed by the Philippines.
CHR spokesperson Jacqueline Ann de Guia also urged law enforcement officers to coordinate with public health experts on how to better explain and ensure compliance to health safety protocols.
“Human rights must always rest at the core of law enforcement,” she stressed. (With PNA/PN)
