Quarantine and health protocols are set to protect, not kill, people – CHR

Violators of the enhanced community quarantine in the City of San Fernando in Pampanga province are punished by requiring them to plant vegetables in the city nursery. (Contributed photo)

MANILA, Philippines — The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has again reminded authorities enforcing health and quarantine protocols that such rules were put in place to protect people against the coronavirus and not kill them.

CHR spokesperson Atty. Jacqueline Ann de Guia issued the reminder Wednesday amid reports of a 12-year-old boy who died in Pasay City after falling unconscious while being chased by barangay watchmen, who were allegedly poised to reprimand him for staying outside. Minors are not allowed to go out of their homes based on modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) protocols.

“Protecting children is among the primary aim of the quarantine guidelines with its restrictions for minors. It is deeply concerning and devastating when the implementation of this policy results in the deprivation of the utmost right to life of a child,” she said in a statement.

“Children who commit quarantine infraction must be handled with utmost consideration to their welfare and rights. The quarantine policy is in place to protect the minors and the community, not to harm them,” she added.

De Guia assured the public that CHR is doing a parallel investigation of the incident, even as they call on authorities to quickly resolve the issue.

“Amid the compounding difficulties that impact many vulnerable sectors, CHR reiterates the need for prudence and compassion in enforcing quarantine guidelines. The ultimate goal is to save more lives, not put human rights, including the right to life, in peril,” she noted.

This is not the first time CHR spoke against the death of supposed quarantine violators, as Metro Manila and nearby provinces were placed under an enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) bubble — and later under MECQ — due to rising COVID-19 cases.

Last April 12, CHR already pointed out the irony of quarantine protocols leading to the death of Ernanie Lumban, who was beaten up by a group of barangay watchmen in Calamba, Laguna, after he allegedly violated the curfew ordinance.

CHR said that incident was tantamount to “torture” because it was an excessive punishment for a minor offense, adding there are also questions on whether it was really an offense as Lumban went out around 10:00 p.m. to buy food, which is considered an essential activity during community quarantine as approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases.

READ: CHR: Ironic that curfew policy meant to protect people from virus leads to death

Lumban’s death also happened on the heels of the incident involving Darren Peñaredondo, who died two days after being ordered by police officers from Cavite to do strenuous exercises for violating the curfew ordinance.

READ: PNP probes death of curfew violator in Cavite

CHR further reminded authorities about the proper way to handle violations or misdemeanors by minors – which is to turn them over to their parents.

“We also remind authorities that minors who are guilty of violating quarantine rules must be turned over to their parents, guardians, and/or a social worker so they are given proper interventions, guidance, and/or advice,” De Guia said.

“This is in line with the memorandum circular issued by the Department of the Interior and Local Government and the Council on the Welfare of Children entitled “Reiteration of Protocols on Reaching out to Children, including those in Street Situations, in need of Special Protection, Children at Risk, and Children in Conflict with the Law During the Enhanced Community Quarantine,” she added.

KGA