World
Philippines: Duterte orders mandatory arrest of Covid violators
Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered the mandatory arrest of all those who violate coronavirus disease (COVID-19) health rules, saying it was “criminal” to risk spreading the virus to other people.
In a speech broadcast on Wednesday night, Duterte said he was fed up of reports of gatherings taking place despite the pandemic, and permitted police to use “reasonable force” to arrest individuals who defy health protocols.
The announcement followed a series of mass events in the capital region, Metro Manila, and nearby provinces, that resulted in dozens of attendees contracting COVID-19 earlier this month.
