No double standard in implementation of quarantine, says Eleazar

The commander of the police’s Joint Task Force against COVID-19 assured on Monday that authorities are implementing the guidelines Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) equally, and do not disitnguish between rich or poor.

“There must be no double standard in the implementation of the ECQ guidelines. Otherwise, we would be sending a wrong message to our kababayan na kapag mahirap ka, aarestuhin at kakasuhan ka kaagad pero kapag mayaman, madami pang protocol na dapat sundin ang ating kapulisan,” Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said.

Eleazar made the statement after armed policemen were caught on video threatening residents of a condominium in Taguig with arrest for allegedly violating the quarantine. 

Eleazar said their initial investigation of the incident found that the use of common areas such as swimming pools or gardens inside condominiums are not allowed by the city government of Taguig, according to a 24 Oras report by Victoria Tulad.

“The JTF COVID SHIELD, however, urges the administrators of condominiums and subdivisions to observe home quarantine and social distancing at all times. Otherwise, we will not hesitate to enforce the law in your areas,” he said.

Police recorded over 100,000 violators since the implementation of the enhanced community quarantine on March 17.  

The Commission on Hman Rights earlier reminded authorities that punishment for the quarantine violation must be in accordance with the law.

Jacqueline De Guia, the commission's spokesperson, cited an incident in which arrested minors were locked up in a dog cage in Laguna, and another in Caloocan where violators were allegedly forced to walk for two hours.

Former Supreme Court spokeperson Theodore Te also said penalties for violators of community quarantine rules should be based on law. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News