Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has ordered a lockdown in Luzon Island for a month to curb the COVID-19 outbreak. He also issued instructions to police and the army to shoot down anyone who violated the lockdown order, Al Jazeera reported.
“Don’t harm the medical staff, the doctors because it’s a serious mistake. My orders to the police and the army, if anyone causes trouble, and their (police and military) lives are in danger shoot them dead,” he told reporters.
Duterte’s warning came after people in several districts in Quezon City Manila protested along the road. They expressed their dissatisfaction with not receiving any food assistance since the lockdown order came into force more than two weeks ago.
Security personnel and police have advised them to return home. But it was rejected. Police eventually forced to use violence and arrested 20 people.
Jocy Lopez, 47, who led the demonstration, said the protest was the last available route since they had not received any food assistance since the order came into force.
“We are here to ask for help because we are hungry. We have not been given food, rice, materials or cash. We don’t have a job. Who should we complain to?”
The northern Philippines, Luzon, is home to more than 50 million people and has been under lockdown for a month. The Philippine health department has reported 2,311 cases of COVID-19 with 96 deaths.
Sources: Al Jazeera