Duterte to parents letting kids go out: Don’t blame gov’t if they get COVID-19

MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte on late Monday night said parents who allow their children to go out despite the danger of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) should not blame the government if their kids end up getting the infectious respiratory illness.

In a taped speech, Duterte insisted that the fight against COVID-19 was not yet over despite the easing lockdown restrictions.

“Look, I can’t stop all of you from going out. I can’t catch you all. The problem is that when you go out with your kids or you allow your children to go out when the place is not ready for them to be outside and they get sick, don’t blame us. Do not forget that we warned you about the grave consequences,” he said.

The President warned that “thousands” were still dying worldwide from the disease, especially in slums in other countries.

During a meeting with the government’s coronavirus task force, Duterte approved the extension of the general community quarantine (GCQ) in Metro Manila and several other places until June 30.

Meanwhile, different levels of quarantine were imposed in other areas depending on their COVID-19 risk classification.

Currently, there are 26,420 COVID-19 cases nationwide, including 6,252 recoveries and 1,098 deaths.

/atm