PNP warns arrest vs. Gadon over refusal to heed health protocols

This came after Gadon on Thursday removed his face mask while talking to the media after filing a petition to revert the name of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport back to Manila International Airport before the Supreme Court. (File photo: Atty Larry Gadon/Facebook)

MANILA – Lawyer Larry Gadon may be arrested over his continued defiance of safety and health protocols amid the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), the Philippine National Police (PNP) said Friday.

“Atty. Larry Gadon may face arrest if he continues to violate health protocols and ordinances imposed by local government units that require the use of face mask and face shield in public,” PNP spokesperson Brig. Gen. Bernard Banac said in a statement.

This came after Gadon on Thursday removed his face mask while talking to the media after filing a petition to revert the name of the Ninoy Aquino International Airport back to Manila International Airport before the Supreme Court.

“As an officer of the court he should know better than to flagrantly disrespect the rules and regulations that protect public health,” Banac said.

He added that the PNP will not have qualms in applying the law on anybody who makes similar willful violations.

Meanwhile, PNP deputy chief for operations, Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar urged members of the media to help remind people they are covering to follow health and safety protocols amid the health crisis.

“We ask our friends in the media to help us in this fight by minding their own protection from hardheaded people that they interview– either you remind them to observe the minimum health safety standard or refuse to interview them. Better yet, report them to us. In this way, we will be able to send a strong message that the rule of law in this time of pandemic must prevail,” he said in a separate statement.

Eleazar said he has already tasked the Manila Police District to look into the incident.

“This kind of irresponsible statement is what making it difficult for the government to effectively fight the spread of the coronavirus,” he noted.

Eleazar, who is also Joint Task Force (JTF) Covid Shield Commander, said strict implementation of quarantine rules has been proven effective in containing the spread of the coronavirus, the recent proof was the case of Cebu City wherein the government intervention led to the decline of the virus transmission.

“Regardless of any belief or point of view regarding the Covid-19, the minimum health safety standard protocol must always be observed by everybody because this is part of the law that was crafted in consultation with credible health experts,” he stressed.

He said the existing laws and ordinances being implemented for public health must not be ignored or challenged.