New guidelines to hold bgy execs liable for superspreader events
THE guidelines being prepared by the Executive Department to arrest individuals not properly wearing their face masks, and for other quarantine violations, will include accountability for barangay officials in whose areas superspreader events take place.
“In a very general sense. The guidelines provide that the DILG (Department of Interior and Local Government) shall hold accountable all local government officials for violation of, among others, the Local Government Code and Revised Penal Code for failure to enforce all relevant guidelines, laws, and ordinances,” Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay.
Also, Sugay disclosed that the guidelines require the Philippine National Police (PNP) to strictly observe rules on warrantless arrests in arresting individuals violating quarantine protocols specifically the proper wearing of face masks.
“The PNP shall strictly observe the Rules of Court, particularly the rule on warrantless arrests, and relevant policies protocols in the enforcement of all relevant rules, guidelines, and ordinances,” Sugay said.
Just recently, President Duterte instructed police to arrest people who do not wear their anti-virus masks properly.
“My orders to the police are, those who are not working their masks properly, in order to protect the public . . . arrest them and detain them, investigate them why they are doing it,” Duterte said in a taped speech.
“‘Pag hindi ko ganunin, hindi ko higpitan, walang mangyayari . . . Ako dito hirap na hirap, pawala na iyong pera natin sa bangko tapos sige pa rin kayo, galaw nang galaw d’yan nang hindi tama, mapupunta talaga kayo sa istasyon.”
