By Fernan Angeles
BEING an ally of President Duterte does not give anyone a license to defy rules, said Joint Task Force COVID Shield commander Police Lieutenant General Guillermo Eleazar as he warned lawyer Larry Gadon that authorities would accost him if he continues to violate rules on wearing face mask and face shield amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Kapag ginawa niya ulit ‘yun sa lugar na may existing ordinance na dapat magsusuot ng face mask ay puwede siyang ma-accost. Sa mga ganoon kasi, ina-accost natin ‘yun, pinagsasabihan, ngayon kung may resistance o may disobedience, puwedeng pagbasehan ng pag-aresto at saka ‘yung may ordinance na existing,” Eleazar said in an interview.
Eleazar has ordered the Manila Police District to look into the matter.
“Ngayon tumawag na ko sa MPD at sabi ko i-research niya ‘yun, pag-aralan niya, mag-conduct ng investigation,” Eleazar said.
On Thursday, Gadon, without face mask or face shield, went to the Supreme Court to file a petition asking the nullification of Republic Act 6639, or the law that renamed Manila International Airport to Ninoy Aquino International Airport.
In a separate statement, Philippine National Police spokesperson Police Brigadier General Bernard Banac said Gadon, as an officer of the court, should know better than to “flagrantly disrespect the rules and regulations that protect public health.”
“The PNP will not have qualms in applying the law on anybody who makes similar willful violations,” Banac said.
Gadon however said he does not agree with the Department of Health about the deadly COVID-19, even as he claimed that the disease is curable.
“Hindi ako naniniwala sa DOH, ako nag-ikot ako sa mahigit 20 ospital, mga COVID centers, nagbibigay ako ng donation, hindi naman ako na-COVID…” Gadon said.
“Sobrang pananakot ang ginawa sa atin ng DOH. Tumigil ang ekonomiya natin dahil sa pananakot na ‘yan,” he added.