COVID-19 protocols are there for the protection of citizens –Robredo

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) measures were put in place to protect the public, Vice President Leni Robredo emphasized on Saturday amid reports of police abuse against quarantine violators.

"Ang sa akin, kailangan lang i-remind 'yung mga nagi-implement na bakit ba tayo meron mga ganitong regulasyon? 'Di ba may ganito tayong regulasyon kasi gusto natin i-protect 'yung buhay; buhay natin, buhay ng bawat isa," Robredo said in an interview.

"So, hindi katanggap-tanggap na sa pag-protect ng buhay may mamatay pa, 'di ba? So sa akin, parati sigurong dapat may reminder. Parating may reminder bakit ba natin 'to ginagawa," she added.

In late April, an army veteran, who was suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and schizophrenia, was shot dead by a police officer at a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City.

On Friday, a grab driver was punched by a guard, resulting in an injured eye, after a request to use a closed road ended in a quarrel.

"Kasi kapag binabalikan natin 'yung pinaka basic bakit ba natin ginagawa, I'm sure magiging mas tolerant. I am sure 'yung emphathy mas malaki," Robredo said.

Despite this, the Vice President acknowledged that there were some Filipinos who still do not seem to realize the threat from the novel coronavirus with the Philippine National Police having recorded a total of 136,517 quarantine violations as of April 21.  

Robredo, nevertheless, said that some flexibility was needed.

"Talaga naman may mga kababayan tayong matitigas 'yung ulo. Pero 'yung sa atin kasi 'yung flexibility sa panahoon na ito kailangan," Robredo said.

"Kasi hindi natin alam kung anong pinanggalingan eh. Kung talagang tigas ulo lang talagang puwede na siguro dalhin sa kulungan. Pero baka kaya ito lumabas kasi kailangang bumili ng gamot na kailangan na. Iba-iba 'yung dahilan, eh," she added.

The Philippines on Saturday recorded a total of 8,928 COVID-19 cases with 1,124 recoveries and 603 fatalities. — DVM, GMA News