Malacañang denied anew reports that the country will be placed under a total lockdown but said law enforcers are preparing to implement stricter quarantine measures to protect the people and prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).
Presidential spokesman Harry Roque made the statement after new reports claiming that President Duterte will declare a total lockdown. The said message being spread through social media chats claimed that the information came from the media and the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI).
In a text message, Roque referred to the message as “fake news.”
He, however, said that the police are preparing for the strict implementation of the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).
“That’s to implement what PRRD said,” he said in another text message.
“Take PRRD literally pls,” he added.
Due to the rise in the number of quarantine violators, President Duterte warned the public last week that there will be a military takeover in the implementation of quarantine restrictions if the people continue to misbehave.
Meanwhile, Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles denied a report that he told select businessmen in a briefing that President Duterte was leaning to extend the ECQ until mid-May.
“Naku, napakalayo sa katotohanan.. This is totally false, totally untrue, totally fake,” he said.
“So huwag na po nating patulan iyan. So fake, false, untrue, totally, totally,” he added. (Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos)