Guidelines on arrest of face mask violators readied

MANILA, Philippines — The guidelines on President Rodrigo Duterte’s order to arrest and detain people for not wearing face masks properly may be out this week, according to Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra.

“The DOJ (Department of Justice) is ready with its guidelines and we’ll just have to coordinate with the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) in the next couple of days,” Guevarra told reporters.

Both the DOJ and DILG have drafted the guidelines on the President’s order.

Duterte had ordered the police to arrest and detain for nine hours those who not wearing face mask properly, citing a “critical need” to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 and “protect the public.’’

—Tina G. Santos