DILG ready for stricter enforcement of quarantine rules

FILE: Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday (Oct. 11, 2019) (PNA photo by Joey O. Razon)

MANILA – The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) on Friday said it is ready for stricter implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año made the remark after President Rodrigo R. Duterte warned that he will order the police and the military to take over the enforcement of the ECQ in Luzon as some Filipinos continue to ignore quarantine protocols.

“We will be stricter in the implementation of the lockdown. I will also direct the LGUs (local government units) to very strict and impose penalties on all violators of the lockdown. The PNP (Philippine National Police) will deploy more teams to arrest violators of ECQ, people involved in gambling activities, drinking in public, ‘tupadas’ (cockfighting), etc,” he said in a message to the Philippine News Agency.

Año said they are still awaiting specific instructions from the President regarding the matter.

He said local government officials and village chief found violating quarantine protocols will be arrested.

“(When caught in) the act of violating the law, the PNP can arrest anyone including barangay officials. We will be prepared. If madami pa ding pasaway (many are still violating rules), we can also deploy soldiers if the situation would warrant,” he added.

Meanwhile, Joint Task Force Corona Virus Shield commander, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar, said he said the police force is always ready for this scenario.

“We have various contingency plans in every quarantine level– ready to be implemented anywhere and anytime,” Eleazar said.