Palace: Arrest of health protocol violators must be in accordance to law

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque. Screengrab from RTVM/PTV

MANILA, Philippines — The arrest of individuals caught not wearing face masks properly and violating other health protocols must still be in accordance with ordinances and the law, Malacañang said Thursday.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque issued the clarification after President Rodrigo Duterte ordered the police to arrest, detain and investigate individuals who wear their face masks improperly.

Roque said the order also covers those who are not wearing their face shields properly and those not following social distancing.

“’Yung pag-aresto naman, dapat sang-ayon ‘yan sa ordinansa o sang-ayon sa batas,” he said in a Palace briefing.

(The arrest should be in accordance with ordinances or the law.)

If there is no local ordinance, Roque said arrests and detention can be made in a maximum of 12 hours.

“Kung wala sa ordinansa ay nakasaad naman sa Revised Penal Code na maximum of 12 hours at kung hindi kakasuhan ay kinakailangan pawalan,” he said.

(If there is no ordinance, it is in our Revised Penal Code that arrests can be made and they can be held for a maximum of 12 hours without the filing of charges.)

Ultimately, Roque said the President only wanted to remind the public to follow minimum health standards.

JPV