President Duterte addressed the nation earlier tonight, April 16, to discuss current issues on the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ), as well as to confirm he has not gone home to Davao City.
The President ordered the police and the military to be ready to take over the enforcement of the community quarantine measures should violations of the ECQ guidelines continue. This is to ensure that the spread of COVID-19 is curtailed.
"I’m just asking for your disiplina. Kasi 'pag ayaw ninyo, ayaw ninyong maniwala, mag-takeover ang military pati pulis. I am ordering them now to be ready. Ang pulis pati military ang mag-enforce sa social distancing at yung curfew. Sila na," President Duterte said.
"Parang martial law na rin. Mamili kayo. Ayaw ko, pero ‘pagka naipit na yung bayan at walang disiplina kayo.”
As of today, the Department of Health reported a total of 5,660 confirmed cases, with 362 deaths and 435 recoveries.
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