Belmonte condemns QC official’s “shoot to kill” threat but says she understands his sentiment

August 4, 2020

Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte condemned on Tuesday the "irresponsible" threat made by the city's Task Force Disiplina head of "shoot to kill" of violators of modified enhanced community quarantine protocols.

In a virtual press briefing, Belmonte, however, said she also understands why Rannie Ludovica of the QC Task Force Disiplina made such threat.

"We condemn the statement made by the head of the Task Force Disiplina who is Councilor Rannie Ludovica. This is wrong. It is inappropriate. It is irresponsible," she said.

Belmonte said that Ludovica's threat was posted on his personal Facebook account and it does not reflect the policy of the city government.

"The truth is Quezon City is considered one of the human rights capital of this country, we are the host of the Human Rights Commission," she said.

But given that, Belmonte said that when she talked with Ludovica, the latter explained that he made the post out of frustration.

"He is frustrated because we have been reminding the people to wear mask, not to go out of their homes if not necessary, don't play basketball, don't drink, don't make karaoke for the past five months. But after five months, we still observed and he saw that those things were the reasons why the government was forced to revert us under MECQ," she said.

Quoting Ludovica, Belmonte said while MECQ could help nurses, doctors and other healthcare workers, this, however, could burden the daily wage earners as they have to temporarily stop from working.

Under MECQ, some industries and public transportation are not allowed to operate.

Belmonte said Ludovica apologized for his statement, removed the post from his Facebook page and promised not to do it again. Celerina Monte/DMS