By NG Seruela
President Rodrigo Roa Duterte ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) on Wednesday evening (May 5) to “arrest, detain, and investigate” the violators of face mask rules.
In his public address, he expressed his disappointment with members of the public who do not comply with the minimum public health standards. He emphasized the importance of the health protocols amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“My orders to the police are, those who are not wearing their masks properly — in order to protect the public –… to arrest them and detain them, investigate them why they are doing it. You have nine hours,” the President said.
“I-detain mo, tapos imbestigahin mo siya kung bakit ganoon ang behavior nila. Pagka hindi ko ganunin, hindi ko kayo higpitan, walang mangyayari. Iyan nga ‘yong for compliance lang kayo.”
He urged the public to follow the minimum health standards in order to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
“Kaya kung talagang may utak ka, if you are a thinking human person, sundin mo. Kung nag-iisip ka, may isip ka pa, sundin mo ‘yong utos ng gobyerno kay hindi ‘yan akin, hindi amin. Para ‘yan sa interes ng bayan na hindi ka makahawa, hindi ka mahawa, hindi ka mag-uwi, hindi mo mahawaan ang iba. Iyan ang ano at saka ‘yong [hand] washing, pati mask,” he said.
Meanwhile, the PNP issued a statement that assured the continuous implementation of existing laws, local ordinances, and policies on public health concerns, especially the minimum public health standards.
“As a procedure, all persons cited for such violation of local ordinances and other laws shall be subject to investigation and booking purposes… if the person is found to have an outstanding warrant of arrest, he will be detained,” PNP Chief Police General Debold Sinas said, following President Duterte’s order. -jlo
