‘Ang daming matigas ang ulo:’ Sotto backs arrest of face mask rule violators

A member of PNP – Highway Patrol group reminds a commuter to properly wear her face mask and face shield before boarding the carousel bus at EDSA-Taft in Pasay City.  (INQUIRER PHOTO / RICHARD A. REYES)

MANILA, Philippines — Senate President Vicente Sotto III backed President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to the police to arrest persons improperly wearing their face masks to ensure that minimum health protocols are followed amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Siguro OK lang ‘yon para sumunod talaga tayo. Matakot kang makulong ng siyam na oras. Kung minsan, merong mga bagay, merong mga issue na dapat strong-arm ang dating,” Sotto said in an online interview with reporters on Thursday.

(I think that’s OK so that people will be compelled to follow rules. The idea of getting detained for 9 hours will make you think twice.  There are times that some things or issues really need a strong-arm approach.)

“Ang daming matigas ang ulo e. Nagiinuman pa sa kalsada, ang tatapang pa e. Ano ba? Gusto ba nating ganun lang, ganun na lang sila?” the senator added.

(There are too many stubborn people out there.  Some are even having street drinking binges and are arrogant and defiant. What? Will we allow them to keep doing that?)

Sotto pointed out that other countries were able to improve their situation amid the pandemic die to the strict implementation and enforcement of health protocols.

“Bakit ang bilis nawala ng problema ng Vietnam? Bakit ang bilis nawala ang problema ng Singapore at saka Israel? Ang bilis. Bakit? E kasi mahigpit ang awtoridad,” he said.

(Why did the problem ease quickly in Vietnam, Singapore and Israel? Because authorities were very strict.)

In a pre-recorded briefing aired Wednesday night, Duterte warned that those wearing their masks improperly will be detained and investigated.

While face masks do not guarantee 100-percent protection against COVID-19, health experts still recommend wearing them — even for people who had already been vaccinated.

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