Palace: Foreigners ignoring quarantine rules are ‘free’ to leave PH

MANILA, Philippines — Foreigners who refuse to follow protocols for the prevailing enhanced community across Luzon are “free” to leave the country, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque likewise emphasized that President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive for the imposition of the Luzon-wide lockdown does not exempt anyone – rich, poor, even foreigners.

“Ang mensahe po ng Presidente, ang ECQ po ipatutupad sa lahat— sa mayaman, sa mahirap, sa Pilipino, o sa dayuhan,” Roque said in an online press conference.

(The President’s message is that the ECQ covers all— the rich, the poor, to Filipinos, and to foreigners.)

“Kung ayaw niyo pong tumupad diyan lalong-lalo na ‘yung mga dayuhan, umalis na po kayo ng  Pilipinas. You are free to go,” he added.

(If you do not want to follow, especially the foreigners, just leave the Philippines. You are free to go.)

Police officers reportedly stormed into a condominium compound in Taguig City to enforce quarantine guidelines.

This prompted foreign nationals residing in the condominium to plan on filing a complaint against the law enforcers.

Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa said they are ready to defend themselves from allegations of trespassing.

Gamboa added that the police entered the building after receiving requests from other residents to visit the condominium complex as some people there allegedly violating the social distancing rule.

KGA