Duterte: Behave Or Face Military Takeover

President Duterte warned of a takeover by the military and the police to strictly enforce quarantine measures should the public continue to violate the Luzon-wide enhanced community quarantine (ECQ).

- Argyll Cyrus B. Geducos, Martin A. Sadongdong, And Genalyn D. Kabiling

The President issued the warning after officials noted that more people have been going out of their homes despite the government's repeated appeal for them to stay home to prevent the further spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

In a public address on Thursday evening, Duterte asked the public to behave as he revealed that he has put the military and the police on standby.

I am just asking for your disiplina, konti. Kasi pag ayaw ninyo, ayaw ninyong maniwala, mag take over ang military, pati ang pulis, he said.

(I am just asking you to be more disciplined because if not, believe me, the police and the military will take over.)

I am ordering them now to be ready. Ang pulis, pati ang military, ang mag-enforce sa social distance at 'yang curfew. Sila na.

(The police and the military will be enforcing social distancing and the curfew. They will take charge.)

Duterte said he will not be declaring martial law because a pandemic cannot trigger that particular special power. However, he said, he has to do something to protect people from the disease.

Hindi nga naman ito martial law, pero parang martial law na rin (It's not martial law, but it's like it) in the sense that I have to impose something on you for your own good and for the good of the country and people, he said.