Makabayan bloc wants probe into alleged rights violations due to IATF policies restricting mobility of unvaxxed persons

Members of the House Makabayan bloc are seeking inquiry into the alleged rights violations and effects of the resolutions issued by the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases, which direct restrictions on the movement of unvaccinated persons.

House Resolution 2460, which the lawmakers filed on Thursday, states that  President Rodrigo Duterte's order to barangay officials to restrain the mobility of individuals who are not yet vaccinated against COVID-19. If the unvaccinated refused to abide by the order, Duterte said they could be arrested.

The lawmakers also underscored the "no vaccination, no ride" policy implemented by the Department of Transportation, which was opposed by several groups and individuals. The DOTr clarified that workers and those accessing essential goods and services are exempted from this regulation.

The Makabayan bloc said this is not the first time the national government used "threats and police power" against the public amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

"The President threatened to arrest quarantine protocol violators, people without or with improperly worn face masks, officials who fail to enforce a ban on mass gatherings, and people who refuse to be vaccinated. Such militaristic approach to the pandemic have failed to alleviate the suffering of the ordinary people or improve the situation of the health workers and the capacity of the health care system amid the repeated surge in COVID-19 cases," the resolution read.

"There is an urgent need for Congress to investigate the necessity and effects of the restrictions imposed against the unvaccinated individuals. While vaccinating the people could be important in the fight against the pandemic, Congress should take the side of the people against policies that curtail constitutional rights, discriminatory, and unnecessary burden the workers and other poor people especially at the this time of pandemic and severe hardship," it added.

The Makabayan bloc said the House committee on human rights should look into the policies, in aid of legislation.

The latest policy on prohibiting unvaccinated individuals from riding mass transports will be enforced until the Alert Level 3 in Metro Manila lasts or a higher alert level status is implemented. — Anna Felicia Bajo/RSJ, GMA News