Guevarra: Duterte’s order vs violators of face mask rule ‘takes effect immediately’

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MANILA, Philippines — President Rodrigo Duterte’s directive to arrest people violating the mandatory wearing of face mask takes effect immediately even as the Department of Justice and Department of Interior and Local Government are yet to meet to come up with guidelines for the proper enforcement of the latest presidential directive.

Guevarra noted existing laws and ordinances that “define the prohibited acts and impose the corresponding penalties” for those violating the basic health protocols. He also pointed to relevant rules in the rules of court to govern the procedure, meaning arrested individuals will have to undergo inquest proceedings conducted by DOJ prosecutors.

“The President’s directive takes effect immediately even without the guidelines,” the DOJ chief said Thursday.

“The President’s strategy of strictly implementing health protocols, such as wearing of face masks, so that the spread of the disease is put under control and the full opening of the economy is accelerated,” he also said.

Guevarra, however, admitted that the directive could lead to other problems such as jail congestion and stacking of cases in prosecution offices.

Nevertheless, he said such inevitability would be addressed in the guidelines that DOJ and DILG would formulate.

“As soon as possible, we are drafting it now,” Guevarra said when asked when the guidelines would likely be released.

For now, Guevarra advised the public that “the best way to avoid being arrested is to wear a face mask and obey the law.”

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