Duterte hopes for "killer antibodies" to lift ECQ

President Duterte expressed hope that a treatment using "killer antibodies" for COVID-19 might be available within days, which would prompt him to immediately lift the enhanced community quarantine in Luzon.

He stated that he would prioritize antibody treatments over vaccines, as vaccine development is projected to take until 2021.

Duterte mentioned that scientists could potentially harvest antibodies from horses for treatment purposes.

While discussing health matters, the President clarified that he is not a doctor and defers to experts for medical decisions.

The President also claimed that the Philippines was the first country in Asia to implement a lockdown to contain the spread of the coronavirus.

He described the enhanced community quarantine as a necessary "cruel action" recommended by experts to curb the outbreak.

The government initially implemented a lockdown in Luzon on March 17, which was later extended until the end of April.

A temporary travel ban was also imposed on travelers from China and its special administrative regions in early February.