Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Eduardo Año on Thursday pushed for the imposition of stiff penalties and jail terms on quarantine protocol violators.
With more than 200,000 arrested quarantine violators, Año pointed out that tougher move will make hard-headed individuals hesitate to defy regulations.
Año estimated more or less 3,000 individuals are still languishing in jail for failing to wear masks, defying physical distancing, and for committing other quarantine violations.
He lashed out at those who continue to defy health protocols while the country is facing a Herculean task of combating the skyrocketing number of COVID-19 cases.
With the growing number of COVID-19 cases, Año has urged the country’s mayors to rush the approval of their ordinances for a unified implementation of sanctions for quarantine guideline misdeeds nationwide.
But Año’s stand was met with numerous criticism and condemnation and the prospective penalties was called as an overkill and extremely brutal.
Año emphasized that the tailspin of COVID-19 transmission will plunge in number with people fearing stiff fines and jail terms.
He has met local and national government officials in a bid to harmonize quarantine protocols in the country. (Chito Chavez)
