MANILA, Philippines — Senator Christopher “Bong” Go on Tuesday started the inquiry into the government’s response to the novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) by saying that bashers and fear mongers, should be the ones to be quarantined.
“Yung mga panay dada naman diyan para lang makapagsalita, mga bashers na sumasakay sa sitwasyon para sa pansariling interes, mga taong gusto lang magdulot ng panic, at mga nagpapakalat ng fake news, kayo ang dapat i-quarantine para hindi kayo makahawa,” Go, chair of the Senate health committee, said during his opening statement.
(Those who just ride on the situation to promote their self-interests, those who just want to sow panic, and those who spread fake news, you are the one who should be quarantined, so you will not infect others).
Go also invited those who “troll” and “bash” the government to attend the Senate hearing, where government and health officials are giving updates on the outbreak.
“Sa mga trolls at bashers naman, welcome kayo pumunta dito sa public hearing, sumali kayo. Pakiusap ko po, tumulong na lang tayo. Unahin natin ang kapakanan, kalusugan at interes ng bawat Pilipino,” he said.
(To our trolls and bashers, you are welcome to attend the public hearings. Join us. Please help us. Let us put the interest, health, and well-being of each Filipino first).
“Sa mga panahong tulad ngayon na ikinakakaba natin ang magiging kalagayan ng ating pamilya at mga mahal sa buhay, dapat ay mas lalong magtulungan tayo,” he added.
(In these times when our families and loved ones are at risk, the more that we should be working together).
Go made the appeal following criticism that the government was slow in responding to the 2019- nCoV outbreak.
It would be recalled that the President ordered a China-wide travel ban after the Philippines recorded its second confirmed case of the virus.
The second confirmed case, a 44-year-old Chinese man, was from Wuhan City, died over the weekend from the nCoV infection, the Department of Health (DOH) said.
This was the first recorded death outside of China.
Meanwhile, Go repeated his call not to single out and blame Chinese nationals for the outbreak.
“We empathize with China given what they are going through but we are putting these precautionary measures in place to protect the country and its people,” he said.
“As part of a community, the Philippine government should be committed to assist other affected countries address this worldwide health concern,” he added.