Duterte threatens to detain officials mismanaging aid for poor amid COVID-19 crisis

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday night threatened to detain officials who would be caught mismanaging resources meant to assist citizens affected by the crisis caused by the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

In a nationally televised address, Duterte said he would go after people who will embezzle, hoard, or divert money, food, and other supplies intended for aid.

“I am not a cruel man pero kung may report ang pulis, I will order your detention hanggang matapos itong COVID-19,” Duterte said.

“‘Wag na ‘wag kayong mandaya, mangurakot, at taguin ‘yung mga pagkain at ‘yung iba hindi bigyan… Kung mamulitika ka tapos mabalitaan ko na ‘yan ang nagawa mo, I will suspend you ora mismo," he added.

"And for those who are really absconding the money, I will detain you, and maybe I will release you pagkatapos ng COVID-19," Duterte said. 

The Palace has previously warned that people who will be caught hoarding basic commodities such as food and disinfectants may be arrested. 

Under the measure that gave Duterte additional powers to deal with the COVID-19 threat, the president can enforce measures against “hoarding, profiteering, injurious speculations, manipulation of prices, product deceptions, and cartels, monopolies or other combinations in restraint of trade, or other pernicious practices.” -NB, GMA News