Duterte threatens “martial law-like” ECQ enforcement

April 17, 2020

President Rodrigo Duterte has warned Filipinos that he would order the security forces to implement stricter measures, similar to "martial law," if they would continue to disregard the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine to contain coronavirus disease.

In a televised taped public message on Thursday night, Duterte said like other people, he is also trying to endure the situation now as it is necessary to fight COVID-19.

"I'm just asking for your little discipline. Because if you don't believe, the military and also the police will take over. I'm ordering them now to be ready," he said.

He said the police and the military would enforce social distancing and curfew.

"It will already be like martial law. You choose," he added.

Duterte gave the warning after seeing from reports that some people were still engaged in cockfighting, drinking sessions and other mass gatherings in some areas in Metro Manila despite the lockdown.

There were also earlier reports of traffic congestion on Edsa, prompting him to order the Philippine National Police-Highway Patrol Group to fully enforce the policy on "authorized persons outside residence."

Duterte asked the local government units to fully implement the guidelines on ECQ,

"I am not forcing you. This really is not martial law. And even during martial law, you do not put people in prison," he said.

Duterte, however, acknowledged that while there is no martial law now, the situation is similar to having a martial law.

"This is not martial law but it's like martial law in the sense that I have to impose something on you for your own good and for the country and people," he said.

Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque earlier in the day threatened that a total lockdown is an option if the punlic would continue to defy the order on the strict ECQ where people are told to remain in their homes. Celerina Monte/DMS