MANILA, Philippines — Philippine National Police (PNP) chief Gen. Archie Gamboa on Thursday assured the public that the national police force will not shoot leftists and violators of enhanced community quarantine and pointed out that President Rodrigo Duterte just “overemphasized” law enforcement in his recent speech coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) crisis.

“I think, ano of course not. Probably the President just overemphasized on implementing the law in this time of crisis,” Gamboa told ABS-CBN News Channel when asked if the PNP will implement Duterte’s warning that leftist groups and violators of the quarantine period will be shot if they challenge the government during the coronavirus disease outbreak.

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“Of course, not. I said already, of course not,” he added.

Duterte issued the statement on Wednesday night, April 1, after 20 protesters demanding food aid from the government were apprehended in Quezon City for starting a rally without a permit.

Asked if police will look into public’s issue of insufficient food during the quarantine, Gamboa said the local government units and the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF) will deal with the issue.

“The IATF should deal with policies and local government units would address this. What the PNP would just do is to implement the law,” the PNP chief said.

GSG

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