More cops will be deployed after Duterte's warning of police, military takeover - Año

Expect that more policemen would be deployed to run after those who will violate the guidelines of the enhanced community quarantine, Interior Secretary Eduardo Año said Friday.

This came after President Rodrigo Duterte had directed the police and the military to be ready to enforce social distancing and curfew if Filipinos continue to have no discipline during this period.

"Magdedeploy pa tayo ng dagdag na pulis lalo na inutos ng Pangulo na 'yung mga pasaway, nagtutupada, nagga-gambling,” Año said in a radio interview.

He said Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Police General Archie Francisco Gamboa already issued a directive to cops to intensify measures against those who will violate the directives on the quarantine.

"Naglabas na ng kautusan si General Gamboa kagabi na paigtingin natin 'yung
kampanya laban diyan, sigurado madami tayong aarestuhin," Año said.

In his address on Thursday night, Duterte said he might order security forces to take over by next week.

"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," Duterte said.

"Parang martial law na rin. Mamili kayo. Ayaw ko, pero pagka naipit na yung bayan at walang disiplina kayo," he added.

The President also warned that no government assistance would be provided to individuals who will be caught engaging in drinking sessions and cockfights despite the quarantine in which mass gatherings are prohibited.

Duterte had ordered the Department of the Interior and Local Government to look into the cases of violations.—AOL, GMA News