A screengrab of the viral video of quarantine violators in Silay, Negros Occidental. Courtesy of Silay PNP
MANILA, Philippines — The police chief of Silay, Negros Occidental on Tuesday said he has no intention to degrade quarantine violators, who were allegedly made to parade like zombies in their streets.
“Wala akong intention na ipahiya sila. ‘Yung sa atin lang ma-maintain nila yung physical distancing para makaiwas sila ng Covid-19,” Silay police chief Major Rollie Pondevilla said over CNN Philippines, reacting to criticisms against their move to parade face mask policy violators in the streets.
(I have no intention to embarrass them. For us, we want them to maintain social distancing to prevent infection from the virus.)
“Kung may intention ako na masama sa kanila, bakit di ko sila ilagay sa police station para magsiksikan sila. Hindi ko ginawa iyon, dahil tinitignan ko safety nila,” he further explained.
(If I have malicious intentions then I could’ve crammed them in the overcrowded police station. I did not do that because I am looking at their safety.)
The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) previously said they will investigate Silay police over the enforcement of a parade of residents, who violated the face mask protocols. It said law enforcers must be mindful of respect for human dignity while enforcing health rules.
Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said the move of the Silay police was “unnecessary,” adding that it contributed to “people’s growing distrust of our police authority.”