Gatchalian backs military presence in enforcement of quarantine rules

MANILA, Philippines — Senator Sherwin Gatchalian on Monday backed a possible deployment of military personnel to help the police enforce lockdown measures, saying that such “display of authority” would further compel the public to follow quarantine protocols.

“Sang-ayon ako sa utos ni Presidente (na) ang military pumasok para tulungan ang pulis magbantay. Nakikita ko mas takot ang mga tao kung naka-uniporme ng fatigue. Kung mas marami pang naka-fatigue on the ground, mas susunod ang tao,” Gatchalian told reporters in a virtual press conference.

(I agree with the president when he said he would order military to step in and help the police. What I see is that the public tends to be more scared of men in fatigue uniforms. If there would be more men in fatigue uniforms, the public will be more compelled to follow).

“Mas maganda mas maraming naka-fatigue, mas maganda sa pag-implement ng ECQ…para merong display of authority,” he added.

(It’s better if there are more men in fatigue uniform, it would be better for the implementation of the ECQ…there is a display of authority).

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier warned that he would order the military and police to enforce “martial law-like” lockdown measures, as violators of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) continue to increase.

Force multiplier

However, Gatchalian assured that should the military step in and help enforce the ECQ, they would still have to coordinate and report to the local government units (LGUs).

Gatchalian emphasized this following concerns that more military presence in the enforcement of the ECQ could result in human rights violations or unnecessary use of authority.

“Ang ground commander is the chief of police, and the chief of police reports to the mayor. So hindi gagalaw yung military ng walang utos ang chief of police o ang mayor, hindi sila pwedeng pumasok tapos biglang mag-ooperate na lang sila,” the senator said.

(The ground commander is the chief of police, and the chief of police reports to the mayor. So the military will not move unless there is a directive coming from the chief of police or the mayor, they cannot come in and just operate on their own).

“They have to report to the chief of police and the mayor. At the end LGU pa rin…force multiplier naman sila (military) e, they are not independent na gagawa sila ng sarili nilang…patrol, hindi ganon, they have to coordinate with the LGU,” he added.

(They have to report to the chief of police and the mayor. At the end, it’s the LGU that calls the shots. They are a force multiplier, they are not independent to do their own thing, it’s not like that,  they have to coordinate with the LGU).

Gatchalian cited as an example Valenzuela City, which he previously served as mayor.

He said there are around 700 policemen deployed in the city to cover 33 barangays.

“In effect parang lumalabas almost 50 policemen per barangay lang kami so kulang na kulang yung policemen namin on the ground. Madadagdagan yun through the augmentation ng military para magsaway, manghuli, mas magiging effective,” he said.

(In effect, there are almost 50 policemen per barangay so we are lacking policemen on the ground. The military could augment to help call out, arrest violators, it would be more effective).

“Mas takot ang tao sa naka-fatigue kaysa sa naka barangay tanod e, yung naka-chaleco kahit naka-chaleco di nila minsan kinakatakutan pero pag nakafatigue talagang takbuhan sa loob ng bahay,” he added.

(The public is more scared to those in fatigue uniforms than the barangay watchmen with chaleco vests. Residents usually don’t get scared with those in chaleco vests, but if its someone in a fatigue uniform, they would run inside their homes).

To date, Philippine health officials have confirmed 6,259 COVID-19 cases in the country.

Of the number, 409 have died while 572 patients have so far recovered.

President Rodrigo Duterte earlier placed the entire Luzon under an enhanced community quarantine as the number of COVID-19 cases in the country continued to increase.

The quarantine became effective on March 17 and was initially set to be lifted on April 13.

The quarantine period, however, has been extended until April 30.

EDV