President Rodrigo Duterte warned the public that he would enforce strict quarantine measures “like martial law” as violators of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) continue to increase.
Duterte, in his second address this week, said that he would order the military and police personnel in imposing tighter measures pointing out that those who violate quarantine guidelines cannot expect help from the government.
“Parang martial law na rin. Mamili kayo. Ayaw ko. Pero pagkanaipit na yung bayan, at walang disiplina kayo,” he said.
This, after the Philippine National Police (PNP) reported that a total of 17,039 persons nationwide were arrested for violating the guidelines of the ECQ.
Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, PNP Deputy for Operations, said that 7,627 persons arrested were from Luzon, 2,521 were from the National Capital Region, and the 6,891 others from the different parts of the country based on the data from March 17 to 30.
“Hindi naman ito martial law pero parang martial law in the sense that I have to impose something on you for your own good and the good of the country and its people,” Duterte added.
Meanwhile, Barangay Mangingisda in Puerto Princesa City was placed under “extreme mandatory quarantine” from April 15 to 28, after the crew of two fishing vessels allegedly failed to disclose the details of their recent fishing trip in Iloilo where local transmission was already reported.
The quarantine passes were subsequently suspended and “no one will be allowed in an out” of the barangay during the mandatory quarantine period.
Food packs were prepared for the local residents to avoid going out of their homes.
“Mula ngayong araw na ito hanggang April 28 ay walang papasok at lalabas sa barangay, kanselado na rin ang mga quarantine pass nila. Magbababa din tayo ng order na maghanda ng mga food packs para dyan,” said mayor Lucilo Bayron.
