Palace defends COVID-19 quarantine from criticisms

MANILA, Philippines — Malacañang on Sunday defended the anti-COVID-19 community quarantine in Metro Manila from attacks that the presence of fully armed soldiers was too harsh and restrictive.

Presidential spokesperson Salvador Panelo insisted that the restrictions on the movement of people into the National Capital Region (NCR) were necessary “sacrifices” to curb the spread of COVID-19.

Panelo brushed off criticisms that the restrictions would deprive them of their livelihood and cause their families to go hungry.

“That’s not true. No one dies of hunger. A month will pass and you won’t die of it,” the Palace official said.

Exemptions

As part of its efforts to contain the disease, domestic land, sea and air travel to and from Metro Manila are now prohibited, although there are exceptions to the rule.

Exempted from the travel ban are health professionals, authorized government officials, personnel providing basic services and public utilities, essential skeleton workforce and those traveling for medical and humanitarian reasons.

Workers living outside NCR but whose jobs are in Metro Manila will be allowed to travel as long as they present the necessary employment documents.

In response to reports that some workers without identification documents are having difficulty entering Metro Manila, Panelo said: “We need to sacrifice a little. The ID and their temperature are being checked because those with high-temperature readings won’t be allowed in.”

Meanwhile, the Palace said it was pleased with the first day of the implementation of the community quarantine.

Secure the borders“For now, I see the implementation is good. You see the people are cooperating. There were no people on Edsa, I think I only saw motorcycles,” Panelo said.

The quarantine will be in effect until April 14. To secure Metro Manila’s borders from anyone wishing to enter or exit NCR, the police and military have been deployed to stop those who wish to cross the border.

Some critics and netizens have slammed the restrictions as reminiscent of martial law of the late strongman Ferdinand Marcos.

“Martial law? Was anyone arrested? [During] martial law, many were arrested and jailed. We need the military because we need the manpower. The barangays cannot do it alone. We need each Filipino to cooperate,” he said.