Authorities in the Philippines have been warned not to allow travellers to skip the mandatory quarantine rules set by the Philippines in its efforts to mitigate and curb the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
President Rodrigo Duterte cautioned land, sea and airport authorities as well as health officials from skipping safety guidelines set by the country for travellers, and warned that authorized travel could increase the risk of COVID-19 contamination.
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“There are reports that some people are skipping, na nakakalusot sila with the help of airport personnel at sa mga barko. I say this now as I have said it before: Do not do it kasi mayayari talaga kayo,” he said.
The president then referred to the recent dismissal of 42 immigration personnel caught for their dishonest practice.
“So do not go into this rigmarole of you know, magsabi ka doon na tapos na, ganoon, ganoon or you bring your fake certificates. Iyan — iyan talaga ang maghanap kayo ng gulo. At iyong mga taga airport, alam mo, hindi ba ninyo nahalata na lahat ng — lahat ng Immigration personnel diyan, about 42 of them at marami pang iba ang na-dismiss sa trabaho. Gusto ninyo ulitin ko ‘yan?” he said.
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Duterte said health authorities involved in assisting travelers in evading the mandatory 14-day quarantine would also be fired.
“Look, kayong mga taga health diyan, sa mga taga-quarantine, pagka may na — may nahuli lang ako na isa, I will — lahat kayo palitan ko. I will assign you to the provinces and I will get the new ones from the other — assigned in other cities also,” he said.
