Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, May 27)— Local government units (LGUs) will be tasked to designate “holding areas,” as well as to ensure strict compliance of citizens to ordinances, under the draft guidelines formulated by the Justice and Interior departments in apprehending COVID-19 protocol violators.
In an interview with CNN Philippines on Thursday, Justice Undersecretary Adrian Sugay revealed some of the salient points of the joint memorandum circular, which the agency said may soon be ready for signing.
These include the following:
– LGUs are mandated to adopt and implement all directives made by the President, including those proscribed under the Omnibus Guidelines on the Implementation of Community Quarantine in the Philippines
– LGUs are reminded to ensure compliance with local ordinances which they enacted
– LGUs are reminded to designate appropriate places that will serve as holding areas for persons cited for violations of health and safety ordinances. The holding areas shall be used for initial investigation and booking purposes, according to Sugay.
– The Philippine National Police shall guarantee that the arrest of any person shall be anchored on local ordinance and other laws
– In case of warrantless arrest or violation, that there is, on the part of the DOJ, an immediate inquest or preliminary investigation
– Prosecution offices shall ensure the immediate release of all approved resolutions or information, for purposes of these violations of the minimum health standards.
Sugay said these guidelines “practically reiterate what is provided for in other laws already,” and will serve as a reminder for agencies and law enforcement officials when implementing the national COVID-19 directives.
Releasing the new memo also aims to avoid “confusion” in the implementation of current measures, he added.
In April, President Rodrigo Duterte renewed his call for LGU officials to step up in enforcing health protocols, warning they will be held liable if violations occur in their respective jurisdictions. Earlier this month, the chief executive also ordered the police to arrest and investigate individuals who are not wearing face masks properly.
