DILG: Don’t punish kids violating curfew

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) yesterday reminded local chief executives to refrain from punishing children for violating curfew  during the enhanced community quarantine.

“All administrative measures planned and implemented by government must preserve the dignity and welfare of every child where no inhumane or degrading punishment against children should not be allowed or tolerated,” the DILG and the Council for the Welfare of Children (CWC) said in a joint memorandum circular.

The circular stated that minors should be released to the custody of their parents and provided appropriate interventions.

Philippine National Police (PNP) deputy chief for operations Lt. Gen. Guillermo Eleazar said 90,074 persons were accosted for violating curfew since the quarantine was imposed on March 17.

He did not say how many of the violators were minors.

Fake news

The PNP Police Community Affairs Group (PCAG) yesterday shared on Facebook a statement attributed to Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II praising President Duterte’s efforts to contain coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and lambasting the Philippines for having the worst citizens.

However, Queen Elizabeth never uttered the statement. The PCAG deleted the post the same day.

Police have arrested and charged with a criminal offense 32 people for allegedly spreading fake news about COVID-19.

Gamboa goes on self-quarantine anew

PNP chief Gen. Archie Francisco Gamboa, who went on quarantine last month after being exposed to a COVID-positive government official, yesterday said he has to undergo another 14 days of isolation as “part of preventive measures” at Camp Crame.

According to Gamboa, he has no symptoms and will continue to  oversee the affairs of the PNP while under quarantine.

Meanwhile, three more policemen, all assigned in Metro Manila, tested positive for COVID-19, which brought to 22 the number of police officers hit by the disease.

Two of the police officers died while two have recovered. The rest are still undergoing treatment.

Meanwhile, 242 PNP personnel are listed as persons under investigation (PUIs) for  exhibiting symptoms of the virus.

A total of 1,384 PNP personnel are categorized as persons under monitoring for having contact with COVID-19 patients.