QC police ready to enforce Belmonte’s order against discrimination amid COVID-19 crisis

April 12, 2020

The Quezon City Police District (QCPD) on Sunday expressed its readiness to implement the Quezon City Executive Order No. 26 which prohibits and punishes those who will discriminate persons infected or suspected of having coronavirus disease and members of their households, including frontliners.

Police Brigadier General Ronnie Montejo said the EO, signed by Mayor Joy Belmonte last April 6, will help protect frontliners and persons suspected of having COVID 19 while those who will be caught violating the law will be arrested.

Montejo reiterated Belmonte’s statements that discrimination has no place in the city, especially during this time of crisis.

“We must put a stop to this once and for all. Now that there is a punishment for discrimination, I expect people to be mindful in doing this kind of action,” he said.

The Executive Order prohibits in Quezon City any act of discrimination against persons under investigation, persons under monitoring, COVID-19 infected individuals, health workers, responders and service workers.

It also prohibits acts which include denial of access to any place or service, including housing, food and transportation due to suspected infection or exposure to COVID-19, the disclosure of the identity or personal data of a PUI, PUM or any person suspected of exposure to COVID-19, including social media posts that would result in stigma and shame to the concerned person.

Montejo said violators will be penalized under Sec. 9 (a) of Mandatory Reporting of Notifiable Diseases and Health Events of Public Health Concern Act, Data Privacy Act, Cybercrime Prevention Act, and the Revised Penal Code, depending on their actions. Ella Dionisio/DMS