President Rodrigo Duterte on Thursday ordered barangay captains to "restrain" unvaccinated citizens who refuse to remain inside their homes despite government regulations.
"I am now giving orders to the barangay captain to look for those persons who are not vaccinated and just would request them or order them if you may to stay put," Duterte said in a pre-taped briefing.
"If they refuse, goes out of the house, and goes around in the community or maybe wherever magpunta, he can be restrained and if he refuses, then the barangay captain, being a person of authority is empowered now to arrest."
(If they refuse, goes out of the house, and goes around in the community or maybe wherever they go, he can be restrained and if he refuses, then the barangay captain, being a person of authority, is empowered now to arrest.
In the National Capital Region, the movement of unvaccinated citizens have been limited to just accessing essential services, and they have been prohibited from entering establishments.
The president added that barangay captains can also "mobilize civilians" to help them in enforcing his order.
According to Duterte, it is his "responsibility" to ensure the safety of Filipinos, which he said is jeopardized as unvaccinated people go out.
"I hate to say these words: being the president, ultimately, I am responsible for the safety and well-being of every Filipino. That is why my orders are to restrain them," he said.
"Hindi naman kaagad arestuhin, pakiusap lang. Hindi ka nagpabakuna, you put everybody in jeopardy."
(You don’t need to arrest them immediately, talk to them. If you are not vaccinated, you put everybody in jeopardy.)
To those who would oppose his rule, Duterte said they can file a case against him and he would be happy to answer them.
"Sabi ko nga, mayroon naman akong kaso sa ICC (International Criminal Court) eh di ipatong na ninyo para isang sagutan na lang pagdating ng panahon," he said.
(As I said, I already have a case before the ICC. Just add it there so I can answer them all when the time comes.)
Duterte gave the order amid a massive increase of COVID-19 cases as of late, with 17,220 new infections reported on Thursday.
