President of the Philippines, Rodrigo Duterte has issued a “Shoot to kill’ order to violators of the nationwide lockdown amid the Coronavirus Pandemic.
President Duterte gave the order while addressing citizens in a nationwide television broadcast.
He commanded the officers to shoot anyone who gives them trouble and poses a threat to the well-being of other citizens.
“Let this be a warning to all. Follow the government at this time because it is critical that we have order
“And do not harm the health workers, the doctors … because that is a serious crime. My orders to the police and the military, if anyone creates trouble, and their lives are in danger: shoot them dead.”
“Do not intimidate the government. Do not challenge the government. You will lose,” warned President Duterte
This is coming after residents of a slum in Manila’s Quezon City protested the lack of food and other relief materials promised by the government two weeks into the lockdown.
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Police after several unsuccessful attempts to disperse the erring crowd, arrested some of the protesters. 20 people were arrested in total, Aljazeera reports.
However, 47-year-old Jose Lopez who led the protest said,
“We are here to call for help because of hunger. We have not been given food, rice, groceries or cash. We have no work. Who do we turn to,” before security officers whisked her away.
Philippines has recorded over 2,311 confirmed cases of Coronavirus and 96 deaths as at April 1, 2020.