Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte orders barangay captains nationwide to enforce mandatory stay at home to unvaccinated residents within their community in line with the national government’s mission to halt the rising cases of COVID-19 in the country.
Duterte announced this during his live taped briefing yesterday, January 5.
“I am now giving orders to the barangay captains to look for those persons who are not vaccinated and just request them or order them if you may, to stay put (in their homes),” he said.
The president said that any unvaccinated individuals who may be caught strolling around within their community can now be escorted by their barangay captains to the nearest police station.
“And if he refuses and goes out of his house and go around the community or if ever saan magpunta, he can be restrained and if he refuses, then the barangay captain, being a person of authority is empowered now to arrest the persons,” Duterte said.
Furthermore, he has given order to barangay captains to task or choose any civilians within their community to contribute on tracing unvaccinated individuals within their community who will violate the recent nationwide order.
“The barangay captain can also mobilize civilians and adopt them or give them the task officially or probably written to convert their status from being a civilian but also a person of authority,” Duterte said.
He stressed that as the country’s highest official, he is mandated to ensure public safety and welfare of all.
“That is my position. Bahala na, well they can file cases, I’d be happy to answer. Sabi ko na, mayroon naman akong kaso sa ICC, edi ipatong na ninyo para isang sagutan na lang pagdating ng panahon. I hate to say these words; being the president, ultimately, I am responsible for the safety and well-being of every Filipino and that it why my orders are to restrain them,” Duterte said.