Defeated senatorial candidate and Human Rights lawyer Chel Diokno opposed the 24-hour curfew that implemented in Muntinlupa City due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
Diokno on Twitter shared the news about the 24-hour curfew in Muntinlupa, saying that the said ordinance is against the constitution, saying that it violated the right of the people to move.
He also said that the authorities have no right to punish the minors violating the curfew being imposed in some places in the Philippines, citing that it against the Comprehensive Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 also known as the “Pangilinan law”
“Siyempre nakikiusap tayong manatili lahat sa bahay, pero labag na sa Konstitusyon ang ordinansang ito. Ang “24-hour curfew” ay outright denial of the right to travel and freedom of movement,” Diokno said.
“At ayon sa Comprehensive Juvenile Justice Act, bawal patawan ng penalty ang mga minor para sa curfew violation. Dapat dalhin sila sa kanilang bahay o i-turn-over sa kanilang magulang,” he added.
At ayon sa Comprehensive Juvenile Justice Act, bawal patawan ng penalty ang mga minor para sa curfew violation. Dapat dalhin sila sa kanilang bahay o i-turn-over sa kanilang magulang. (2/2)
— Chel Diokno (@ChelDiokno) March 21, 2020
According to the ordinance of Muntinlupa, the city shall be placed under a 24-hour curfew beginning March 20, 2020.
People caught violating the curfew would be recorded to the blotter of the Barangay and their benefits being received from the Muntinlupa City may get canceled.
If they repeated the same violation, they’re not allowed anymore to receive any relief goods from the LGUs during the whole period of the community quarantine.
Meanwhile, Atty. Ferdinand Topacio tried to argue with Diokno, citing that the government has the right to control the movement of the people during extraordinary times.
Pssst, Chel…. pic.twitter.com/jIfU9sf4DB
— YesYesYo! (@YesYesYo13) March 22, 2020
Topacio cited section 6 of the Bill of Rights, saying that movements of people should not be stopped “except in the interest of national security, public safety, or public health, as may be provided by law”.
On March 14, Diokno also reminded the public that the police and soldiers had no right to put community quarantine violators under their custody.
“Pwede ka nilang harangin at wag papasukin, na tama lang naman kung kailangan, pero hindi ka nila pwedeng arestuhin at ikulong dahil hindi naman krimen ang subukang pumasok sa Metro Manila,” Diokno said.