Vice President lenirobredo calls President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent order to arrest and detain violators of the face mask protocol “counterproductive,” citing the situation in the country’s jails, where there could be higher chances of catching the virus
— Vice President Leni Robredo took exception to President Rodrigo Duterte’s recent order to arrest and detain violators of the protocol on wearing face masks.
“Para sa akin, hindi nakakatulong na ‘yung default natin ay aresto,” Robredo said Sunday in her weekly radio show BISErbisyong LENI. “Unang-una, ‘yung sitwasyon nga sa mga jail natin grabe. Mag-aaresto ka kasi gusto mong i-protect ‘yung mga tao, pero lalong counterproductive ‘yun eh.” Instead of the harsher penalty, Robredo said the focus should be on strengthening the information campaigns on COVID-19 protocols. Others wear masks improperly, with some failing to cover their nose, simply because they don't know the right way to do it, she said.
[Translation: Let’s not order the arrest of people for the smallest infractions, when we know there are those who have committed bigger violations and yet weren’t arrested. So, it seems like a wrong response. It would be better to help someone understand how to use a face mask properly.]