MANILA – Palace sees nothing wrong with the Joint Task Force (JTF) COVID Shield order telling police to monitor social media accounts for possible quarantine violations.
Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said no privacy will be breached from the latest order of JTF COVID Shield Commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar, especially if the social media posts were made public.
“P-in-ost po ‘yan so parang nagkaroon po ng waiver of privacy diyan kapag posted na po ang isang bagay sa social media,” Roque said in a virtual press conference on Monday.
“Wala pong mali doon sa ginagawa ng pulis kung tinitingnan lang nila kung ano ang mga naka-post sa social media. Hindi po iyan iligal,” he added.
The spokesman furthered that authorities in developed countries have been using technology for law enforcement.
Eleazar has earlier urged police commanders and their men to regularly monitor social media for violations of quarantine rules such as mass gatherings for drinking sessions and other forms of celebration.
Photos and other information posted on social media could be used as evidence to warn, fine and summon the people concerned in coordination with their barangay officials, he added.
Amid various criticisms, Eleazar has defended the order saying that the Philippine National Police will not meddle with the privacy of anyone.
“Mali po ‘yung parang naisip nila na panghihimasukan natin ‘yung kanilang privacy. Tandaan po natin, nirerespeto po natin ‘yan,” Eleazar on Sunday told DZBB.
“Hindi natin panghihimasukan ‘yung privacy nila. Sa totoo lang, wala naman tayong pakialam kung anong gagawin nila sa loob ng bahay in regard to quarantine rules and regulations,” he added./PN
