Duterte camp clarifies: Curfew for minors, liquor ban in public places

DAVAO CITY— The camp of presumptive president Rodrigo Duterte has clarified the mayor’s plan to implement a nationwide curfew and liquor ban.

Peter Laviña, Duterte spokesman, has allayed the fears of some that these measures would curtail the freedom of Filipinos.

“The curfew is principally for minors, unescorted minors, past 10 p.m. It does not include minors with their parents or guardians. This is to make sure that our children are in their homes, sleeping already, preparing for the next day in school,” Laviña told reporters in a press briefing on Tuesday.

READ: Duterte wants to implement curfew if he wins presidency

Laviña also said that the liquor ban implemented in Davao City could be adapted nationwide.

“The reason he has this liquor ban because we have to work the next day. Nothing to do with denying us our freedoms. When you go home, you can drink to your heart’s content in the privacy of your homes,” he said.

READ: Duterte on nationwide smoking, liquor ban: Be brutal to protect public health

“I think these measures can be adapted nationwide, of course, after consultation with all concerned parties. He can do it, of course [through an] executive order, but the best [way would be] through democratic process of legislating these measures,” he added.

But Laviña stressed that these measures have “nothing to do with denying us of our freedom.”

In Davao City, a smoking ban and an anti-littering campaign are being strictly implemented with violators facing hefty fines. CDG