DILG chief Año: Condo owners cannot make their own rules

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday said owners of condominiums should respect law enforcers and strictly follow guidelines in the enhanced community quarantine, noting that they could not enforce their own rules and regulations in this period of health crisis.

"The condo owners cannot make their own rules. We are under public health emergency, under the state of calamity... Iisa lang 'yung Republika ng Pilipinas so they should respect the lawmen," Año said in an interview on ANC. 

"When we implement the quarantine, wala tayong tinitingnan dito kung ito ay mayaman o mahirap or ikaw ay barong-barong owner... We have to respect and we have to follow very strictly the rules, the wearing of mask and the social distancing. 'Yun lang naman 'yung purpose bakit pumunta 'yung ating kapulisan diyan," he added.

This came following an incident last Sunday wherein armed cops entered the compound of a private high-end condominium in Taguig City and threatened to arrest residents for allegedly violating the rules of the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine imposed to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.

According to the management of Pacific Plaza Towers, it would take legal action against what the cops did because it had sowed fear among the residents, including children. 

Año said he saw the video of the incident. 

"Wala namang gun toting doon. In fact nagpaimbestiga si General Eleazar kung ano talaga 'yung tunay na nangyari doon. Nagkaroon ng altercation with I think the property manager but you know it could have been avoided," Año said. 

He, however, admitted that it was wrong for the policeman in the video to shout at the residents. Año vowed that it would be dealt with accordingly. 

Año further said guidelines which will be implemented by owners of condominiums, subdivisions, and other residential areas must always be in line with the directives of the national government. 

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque on Monday said police cannot barge inside a private property without just cause and a court order.

“Karapatan po ng ating mga kababayan na maging secure sa kanilang private spaces. That is inviolable. Hindi puwedeng malabag 'yan, maliban kung may utos ng korte o hukuman,” Roque, a lawyer, added.

“Ang policy po ng police, they cannot enter a private property unless they received an information that there is crime happening in that property, if they are invited, or they have a search warrant. Rest assured this incident will be investigated and we will act in accordance with our Constitution,” Roque added. 

Police earlier said they were ready if the administration of the condominium decides to file charges against them due to the incident.

The Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine is in effect until April 30. —KG, GMA News