Senate Pres. Sotto backs police redeployment for COVID-19 protocols amid Sen. Hontiveros' opposition

Senate President Vicente Sotto III supports the potential redeployment of police and military personnel to enforce COVID-19 health protocols, citing data access by the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).

This measure is being considered due to perceived public complacency in safety protocols, as noted by vaccine czar Secretary Carlito Galvez Jr.

However, Senator Risa Hontiveros opposes this "militaristic" approach, arguing it repeats past mistakes and will only delay a quick response to rising COVID-19 cases.

She pointed out that during stricter lockdowns in 2020, cases did not decrease and health workers were overwhelmed.

Hontiveros also warned that mass arrests would lead to overcrowding in jails, potentially increasing transmission.

The Philippines recorded 2,668 new COVID-19 cases on Tuesday, contributing to a total of 546,078 cases and a high reproduction number in the National Capital Region.