An argument between police and a resident of an exclusive village brings to fore the application of the lockdown among the rich and the poor. Here are stories making the headlines on ANC today:

Excessive force
Makati City police said they would file charges against a man who resisted arrest after a heated altercation inside the posh Dasmarinas village. PNP chief Gen. Archie Gamboa ordered a probe into the incident. The incident comes at the heels of the shooting of a former soldier at a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City. Vice President Leni Robredo said police should not use excessive force against quarantine violators.

(Un)Lucky 7
The Philippines now has 7,777 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 70 added to those who recovered. There are now 932 people who recovered from the coronavirus but 511 deaths. Meanwhile, the Palace laughed off suggestions that President Duterte is using the pandemic to declare martial law in the country. Last Friday, the president warned he would declare martial law if communist rebels continued to attack government troops.

Running low
The government said it is looking for “uncommitted funds” in the 2020 budget to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic as the funds it initially allocated run low. The Palace also said it can seek a supplemental budget from Congress if any uncommitted funds are not enough. The government is also planning to sell at least $1 billion in dollar denominated bonds to help it deal with COVID-19.

Joint patrols
Retired Senior Associate Justice Antonio Carpio suggested the Philippines patrol the South China Sea with Malaysia and Vietnam. This is to counter China’s assertiveness in the area while countries deal with the pandemic.

Return trip
After patiently waiting through tests and quarantine restrictions, the seafarers that were stranded in Manila are finally on their way to their loved ones. ANCX checks in with them before they sail home.