Duterte’s community quarantine in Metro Manila is a martial law in disguise – youth activists

A member of Anakbayan Vito Cruz criticized the move of President Rodrigo Duterte to order a community quarantine in Metro Manila, suspecting that the government is only trying to impose martial law in the National Capital Region.

On Thursday, James Carwyn Candila tweeted that Duterte is using the COVID-19 issue “to establish martial law in Metro Manila”.

“HE WILL MOBILIZE THE AFP AND PNP TO ROVE AROUND OUR STREETS. IF THE YOUTH IS CAUGHT, THEY WILL BE BROUGHT TO POLICE STATION FOR QUESTIONING,” Candila said.

This is also what Raoul Manuel said, asking the President to step down and just let the Filipinos handle the situation.

“Duterte is really incapable to handle these situations. He is practically useless. He must step down and let the Filipino people manage the crisis,” Manuel remarked.

However, some defenders of President Duterte and martial law slammed the two activists for criticizing the latest actions of the government.

“You talk as if you can handle it better. It’s the same case when Martial law was implemented in Mindanao. You talk and rallied as if you were there and experienced it. But did you know, it was the safest period we had in Zamboanga because AFP and PNP are everywhere,” netizen @demz_siton told Manuel.

“Sige ikaw mag manage ng sitwasyon Magaling ka diba? Sige nga ano gagawin mo? Explain mo dito ano plano mo para macontain ang virus. What is the best option to prevent the virus from spreading? BAKA ISAGOT MO LANG DITO EH PROPER HYGEINE,” another netizen said.

Netizen @yobubsercas also questioned the logic of the critics of Duterte, saying that some of them asked for lockdown and now that the government announced that they’re going to do it, they’re accusing the President of establishing martial law.

“Nanghihingi kayo ng lock down tapos kapag ni-lock down, sasabihin martial law,” @yobusercas told Candila.

However, Candila denied that they’re asking for lockdown and suggested that the government should promote accessible health care instead of just spreading the cops and soldiers around Metro Manila.

During the televised address, Duterte warned the youth not to disobey the community quarantine measures and be cooperative with the police officers.

“Pag makita ka sa labas, pasakay sa — palaboy-laboy ka lang diyan, wala kang ginagawa, sisigaw-sigaw kayo, lalapitan kayo ng pulis pati military. Tatanungin kayo, then you have a problem. ‘Pag sinabi mo na, “wala nandito lang kami sa labas.” And then maybe if you are arrogant, dadalhin ka istasyon for record purposes, that you are disobeying, that you are intransigent and that you are not fulfilling your duty.” the President said.

According to the Philippine National Police (PNP) they’re going to deploy 40,000 cops to ensure peace and order during the period of community quarantine.

“The president required us to convince students to stay at home. (But of course,) in as much as we can do, we cannot restrain (them),” PNP Chief Police General Archie Gamboa explained.

 

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