Manila Bulletin
Sen. Bato backs gov't plan to tap military, police in strict enforcement of quarantine rules
Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa expressed support for President Rodrigo Duterte's plan to deploy military and police personnel to help enforce quarantine protocols and conduct contact tracing amidst a surge in COVID-19 cases in the Philippines.
Dela Rosa cited that police and military forces are generally well-organized, better equipped, and more quickly deployable than other agencies, making them reliable assets in national emergencies.
He emphasized the need for unity in the country's response to the pandemic and encouraged critics to offer alternative solutions if they disagree with the administration's approach.
President Duterte had earlier announced his intention to utilize the military to supplement the police in enforcing quarantine measures, citing insufficient police resources to manage the escalating contagion.
Duterte clarified that the military's involvement would be to ensure compliance with community lockdowns for the public's safety, not to fundamentally alter the governance structure.
The Philippines recorded a daily high of 6,958 new COVID-19 cases around the time of these statements.
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