AFP prepares for stricter enforcement of quarantine

The Armed Forces of Philippines has been preparing its troops for a stricter enforcement of quarantine for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), its spokesperson said on Sunday.

AFP spokesperson Marine Brigadier General Edgard Arevalo pointed out that there is nothing to be alarmed about the preparation.

“Sa ngayon wala pa na namang utos ang Pangulo na magdeploy na,” Arevalo said in a statement.

“But it is incumbent and customary on the part of the leadership of the Philippine Air Force, and the AFP under General Felimon Santos Jr.,  for that matter, to exercise its initiative of alerting and preparing our personnel including ROE (Rules of Engagement),” he added.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered the military and the police to be ready to enforce social distancing and curfew in the country if the public would still ignore the rules of the enhanced community quarantine.

"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 order or instruction has been broadcasted live nationwide. The AFP took cognizance of the order and already prepares for it even before the order to deploy is given,” Arevalo said.

“That, we suppose, makes the AFP unique and dependable as an institution because of initiative and foresight. We take orders and know which are specific tasks and which are implied,” he added.

Arevalo made the statements after a memo of the Philippine Air Force to its personnel leaked which orders for preparation in light of a strict implementation of the enhanced quarantine.

“We believe there is nothing to be alarmed about in this natural reaction of the AFP to prepare and deploy when it becomes necessary,” he said.

“What we should all be alarmed about instead is the fact that a lot of people are blatantly violating the law and disobeying the rules and health protocols which MUST be strictly enforced —otherwise people die,” he added.

The Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine will be in effect until April 30. —Joviland Rita/KG, GMA News