AdvocatesTV • April 17, 2020
Duterte warns of "martial law-like" rule to discipline ECQ violators
Photo Credit: Presidential Photographers/PCOO
President Rodrigo Duterte said he may be compelled to impose martial law-like discipline if the number of violators of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) guidelines will continue to increase.
He said the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) are just waiting for orders to take over.
“I’m just asking for your discipline. Kasi ‘pag ayaw ninyo, ayaw ninyong maniwala, mag-take over ang military pati pulis. I am ordering them now to be ready,” Duterte said in his speech on Thursday evening.
“Ang police pati military ang mag-enforce sa [social] distance at ‘yang curfew. Sila na. Parang martial law na rin. Mamili kayo. Ayaw ko pero pagka naipit na ‘yung bayan at walang disiplina kayo,” he added.
Duterte said everyone should strictly comply with the ECQ guidelines as the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country continues to increase.
The President explained that the situation could have been worse had the government not implemented the ECQ.
“Makikita mo ang ating total, it’s 5,660. Ano na lang kaya kung hindi tayo nag-lockdown? Dikit-dikit kayo sa MRT nakatindig, magtabi, mag-ubo. Ano na lang yung sa mall? Ano na lang kaya mangyari kung ‘yun sa palengke?” he said.
Based on the latest report of the Department of Health (DOH), the Philippines has 5,660 confirmed cases with 435 recoveries and 362 deaths.
Duterte meanwhile called on funeral homes and crematorium centers to maintain their service rates following reports that some of them have already raised prices.
He also called on hospitals not to refuse patients.
“I’ll be asking the DOH to start the investigation. And I’m sorry, but you know, there are rules to be followed. When you begin to f*** the rules, ganun talaga magkakaproblema tayo,” he said.
“You are the sanctuary of the sick. You do not choose the ailment of the patient you are accepting. It is not just – simply not within your power morally. Kaya maghanap kayo ng paraan kung how to deal with the problem because you are a hospital,” he added.
