MANILA – Mayors who are not implementing the social distancing measures in light of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) may face arrest, President Rodrigo Duterte said.
He issued the warning in an address to the nation on early Tuesday following several instances where the public are overcrowding in markets in Metro Manila.
“Kayong mga mayors, huwag kayong maglaro kasi ang ayaw ninyo mag-social distancing mapipilitan ako puntahan kita at arestuhin kita,” President Duterte said. “There seems to be a lack of uniformity in enforcing the social distancing rule.”
“Alam mo ‘pag hindi natin ito susunod, walang mangyari. Wala talagang mangyari. Kami dito salita nang salita hanggang makuha rin namin ang [COVID-19], baka una kaming mamatay,” he added.
Duterte acknowledged that city governments had their own ordinances to observe, however he still stressed the need to implement the measures adopted by the Department of Health during the ECQ.
Following President Duterte’s warning, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año has directed the Philippine National Police (PNP) as well as local government units to shut down non-essential business establishments while the enhanced community quarantine is being enforced./PN
