DUTERTE ORDERS ARREST OF PEOPLE WEARING FACE MASKS INCORRECTLY

President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday ordered the Philippine National Police (PNP) to arrest people who will be caught wearing a face mask incorrectly in public spaces, according to a PNA report.

In a pre-recorded public address, Duterte told the PNP personnel to detain Filipinos who are improperly using face masks in a bid to “protect the public” against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Duterte gave the fresh directive, as he noticed that some Filipinos are merely wearing a face mask “just for compliance.”

“Itong mask, ‘yung iba, for compliance lang, naglalagay ng mask pero nakalabas ‘yung ilong. (The use of face mask is being done just for compliance. Some are wearing it without covering their nose),” he said. “I-detain mo tapos imbestigahin mo siya kung bakit ganoon ang behavior nila (Detain and investigate why they are behaving that way).”

Duterte said he has to be strict to stop the further transmission of COVID-19 in the country. He added that he could not let his guard down, despite the drop in daily COVID-19 infections. “Kapag hindi ko ganoonin, hindi ko kayo higpitan, walang mangyayari. Iyan nga, for compliance lang kayo (If I am not strict, nothing will happen because [they are wearing a facing mask) just for compliance,” he said.

On April 12, PNP chief Gen. Debold Sinas directed all policemen to stop arresting violators of health and quarantine protocols amid the pandemic.

Duterte reiterated his appeal to the public to continue following the minimum public health standards to ensure the country’s successful fight against COVID-19. He said his latest order was meant to bring down the daily coronavirus cases in the country.

“Kaya kung talagang may utak ka, if you are a thinking human person, sundin mo, kung nagiisip ka, may isip ka pa, sundin mo ‘yung utos ng gobyerno (So if you really have a brain, if you are a thinking human person, you will follow the government’s order),” Duterte said.

While some may consider Duterte’s order to ensure the proper wearing of face mask a “stupid requirement,” he believed that it is a “critical need” amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

He said his fresh directive would benefit not the government but all Filipinos.

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