'COVID-19 a health crisis, why are military tanks out?' - Robredo

MANILA — Vice President Leni Robredo questioned Thursday the use of military tanks for pandemic protocols, saying this may sow fear among the public.

Robredo said she saw clips of military tanks deployed to Cebu City after President Rodrigo Duterte placed it back under the strictest lockdown level due to a spike in COVID-19 cases.

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"This is a health pandemic. Bakit may mga tangke sa daan? The military has been very helpful, even to our office, pero I think we should take a more public health approach," she said in an ANC interview.

"Ang problema ko rito, 'pag nakita na ng mga tao iyong tangke, 'Ano ba to, giyera?' Iyong giyera natin dito against COVID-19 at hindi ito nadadaan sa pagso-sow ng fear among the constituency. "
 
(My problem here is that when people see tanks, they'll think, 'Is this war?' Our war is against COVID-19 and this cannot be solved by sowing fear among the constituency.)

Robredo said Iloilo City contained its coronavirus outbreak at 4 active cases without any arrest for lockdown violations.

"I have great faith na if people understand why we need to do this, if people understand that they have a stake, that they have a responsibility... mas magiging cooperative sila rather than tinatakot (they will be cooperative, rather than if they are intimidated)," she said.

ANC, June 25, 2020