Follow law while enforcing quarantine rules, Palace reminds authorities

MANILA, Philippines — Enforcers of quarantine guidelines should follow the law, while those manning checkpoints were advised to use “common sense” in deciding who are allowed to pass, Malacañang said Wednesday.

“Nananawagan po ako sa lahat ng tagapagpatupad ng ating ECQ, kung kinakailangan po na gawin natin yan, sang-ayon sa batas,” Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in an interview over Unang Hirit.

(I am appealing to all those who are implementing the ECQ, if we need to do that, it should be in accordance with the law.)

“At naniniwala naman po ako na yung mga nagkakamali ay didisiplinahin ng mga lokal na pamahalaan,” he added.

(I believe that those who committed a mistake will be disciplined by the local government.)

Roque issued the statement when sought for reaction over the incident in Quezon City where a man was beat up by authorities for allegedly violating the quarantine guidelines.

The Quezon City government said it will probe the incident, stressing that it does not condone any acts of violence.

“Itong insidente po sa Quezon City ay naniniwala naman po ako na iimbestigahan nang patas yan ni Mayor Joy Belmonte at papatawan ng parusa ng mga barangay official kung mapatunayan na nagkasala sila,” Roque said.

(I believe this incident in Quezon City will be investigated fairly by Mayor Joy Belmonte and a punishment will be imposed on the barangay official if they are proven guilty.)

Roque also urged authorities at the checkpoints to decide on who should or should not be allowed to pass by assessing the situation on a case-to-case basis.

“Yung mga nasa checkpoints naman po, sinasabi po natin sila nang paulit ulit, alam naman po natin ang mga palatuntunan, kinakailangan naman po meron tayong case-to-case basis. Yung mga nangangailangan ng atensyong medikal, palusutin na po natin dahil gamitan naman po natin ng common sense,” he said.

(To those who are at the checkpoints, we repeatedly say this, we know the guidelines and deciding on who to allow to pass should be on a case-to-case basis. Allow to pass those who are needing medical attention, let’s use our common sense.)

EDV