PNP to enforce face mask rule in Cebu despite Garcia’s order

(FILE) Passengers at the South Bus Terminal in Cebu City wear face masks while observing physical distancing to stop the spread of COVID-19. —DALE ISRAEL

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine National Police (PNP) on Saturday said it will continue to enforce the mandatory wearing of face masks in Cebu province despite the order of Cebu Governor Gwendolyn Garcia to make its use in public areas voluntary.

The PNP said it will continue to enforce the directive given by the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG).

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Friday said the DILG “does not recognize” Garcia’s executive order as he ordered the PNP to “continue to confront, apprehend, and arrest, if necessary” all violators in Cebu of the minimum public health standards as ordered by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

“DILG has already given a clear directive for concerned agencies and LGUs to continue implementing measures that impose observance to Minimum Public Health Standards under different Alert Levels,” the PNP said in a statement.

“Thus, the PNP will continue to enforce the standing orders and directives against those violators of the facemask rule,” it added.

On Thursday, Garcia issued Executive Order No. 16 making the wearing of face masks in open spaces not mandatory.

READ: In Cebu province: Face masks no longer required outdoors

Garcia’s directive is in conflict with the IATF guidelines which only allow for specific instances when masks can be taken off, such as when eating or during well-ventilated sports and activities.

Garcia’s executive order also went against the pronouncements of outgoing President Rodrigo Dutertethat the wearing of face masks will stay mandatory until the end of his term.

/MUF

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