Año backs police’s monitoring of social media to look for quarantine violations

Interior Secretary Eduardo Año on Tuesday expressed support to the police's plan to monitor social media for quarantine violations.

In a television interview, Año pointed out that social media is a good source for information of violations committed by citizens in this time of quarantine.

"Yes, actually dati naman nang ginagawa 'yan, karamihan sa start ng investigation natin ay mga report ng concerned citizens sa social media ano, na-highlight lang masyado but talagang ginagawa na natin 'yan at magandang source of information din ang social media lalo na 'yung mga nagse-celebrate ng fiesta, nagko-coronation pa sila," Año told CNN.

"So as much as possible kung aware tayo, at least 'yung mga tao... hindi na magpo-post ano, hindi na rin sana sila magma-mass gathering," he added.

The DILG chief urged the public to get photos if they see other individuals who continue to violate quarantine rules.  Año said authorities are not infringing the rights of citizens when they monitor the social media.

"Kunan niyo ng picture, i-upload niyo at gagawan namin ng aksyon, 'yun lang talaga eh, kailangan vigilance at cooperation ng bawat isa but we do not infringe on the rights of our people, 'yun namang social media is for everyone," he said.

Over the weekend, the Joint Task Force COVID Shield called on police commanders and their personnel to regularly monitor social media for violations of quarantine measures.

JTF COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar said netizens have been posting complaints about some violations of minimum health safety standard protocols, including mass gatherings for drinking sessions as well as other forms of celebration despite the pandemic.

Eleazar said authorities would also target government officials and prominent personalities in this measure. — RSJ, GMA News