"I’m now giving orders to the barangay captains to look for those persons who are not vaccinated and just would request them or order them, if you may, to stay put,” Duterte said in his public address aired over PTV and Radyo Pilipinas on Thursday night.
“If he refuses, he goes out of the house and goes around in the community or maybe wherever magpunta, he can be restrained, ” the President added.
Duterte said he gave the order responding to the spiking number of COVID-19 cases in the country just a few days after the New Year due to the new, fast-spreading Omicron variant of the coronavirus.
He said being persons in authority, the barangay captains have the power to arrest “recalcitrant” persons if they are unvaccinated and refuse to be restrained or escorted to their homes.
At the same time, he said that village chiefs can also mobilize civilians to help them with the subjugation of people who haven’t received COVID-19 shot from leaving their homes and loitering outdoors.
“Give them the task officially probably written and that converts their status from being a civilian but also a person in authority called upon to assist the persons in authority,” he said.
However, Duterte clarified that he was issuing the order as part of his responsibility to ensure public safety and well-being.
He said unvaccinated people will not be immediately imprisoned, and persons in authority will have to talk to them about the dangers of leaving their homes.
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“I hate to say this word pero --- these words: being the President, ultimately I am responsible for the safety and well-being of every Filipino and that is why my orders are to restrain them,” he said.
Meanwhile, Duterte ordered the police to arrest and detain for investigation individuals involved in the illegal trade of COVID-19 drugs in the black market.
“I would insist for the police to arrest them and detain them for investigation. If it’s a serious offense, that will go about 34 hours of detention and in that time, you can investigate,” he said.
Duterte said nobody will be spared as his order covers agents and sellers or sales representatives, and even owners of medical infrastructures.
“Sabihin nila even it’s a matter of violation, ‘wala kami, ‘yung aming mga staff lang.’ Do not give me that s***. Hulihin ninyo at ikulong ninyo,” he said.
He said unregulated sale of COVID-19 drugs is a serious offense because it victimizes those who need the medicine but cannot afford to buy due to very steep price.
Duterte also asked the Department of Justice (DOJ) to assign fiscals who could conduct summary investigation and inquest of those involved in the prohibited trade. He also wants the police to investigate their areas of responsibilities and to “solve the problem.”
File Photo from Presidential Communications FB Page
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