Former Quezon City Councilor Ranulfo Ludovica, head of the city’s Task Force Disiplina, said Wednesday that his personnel used reasonable force in arresting a quarantine violator, who later tested positive for illegal drug use, last Monday.
In an interview, Ludovica said fish vendor Michael Rubuia hurled invectives at the law enforcers and started kicking them when told that it was against enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) rules to sell fish in public places.
As shown in viral videos, several Task Force Disiplina personnel were trying to drag Rubuia, 38, for not having a quarantine pass and face mask while selling fish on Panay Avenue.
Ludovica added that Rubuia was later tested positive for drugs when brought to the Quezon City General Hospital (QCGH) following his arrest.
Upon seeing the fish vendor, Ludovica said he knew right away that Rubuia was high on drugs due to his fiery eyes and his rejection to accept reasonable explanation about quarantine rules.
The Quezon City government earlier said it “shall never condone any acts of violence or violation of human rights, regardless of reason or justification, especially when committed by an official or employee of the city government or any of the city’s barangays.”
Ludovica said the act of hitting Rubuia with a stick on his feet and hands were “reasonable force’’ since the fish vendor was kicking and shouting while trying to hurt his men.
He insisted his men threw no punches and merely acted accordingly, saying that the fish vendor held the railings forcing the enforcers to strike his feet and hands.
Rubuia, who is now detained at the QCPD Station 10, insisted he did nothing wrong and was accosted for earning a living. (Chito Chavez)
