MANILA – In both open and enclosed areas, police officers will continue to issue warnings to anyone who are not wearing face shields, according to Philippine National Police (PNP) commander Gen. Guillermo Eleazar on Friday.
In a statement, Eleazar said, “I-caution na lang muna natin ang mga walang face shield. Karamihan sa ating mga kababayan ay nasanay nang magsuot ng face shield at para doon sa mga makikitang hindi nagsusuot nito, paalalahanan na lang muna natin (We will caution first those not wearing face shield. Most of our countrymen are used to wearing a face shield and for those who are not wearing it, let’s just remind them for now).”
The suggestion came after the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF-EID) proposed to President Rodrigo Duterte the proceeded required wearing of face shields.
“The latest recommendation of the IATF to the President is to continue making mandatory the wearing of face shields in enclosed spaces, commercial areas, public transport, terminals, and even places of worship,” he said.
Eleazar stated that the PNP will wait for the President’s decision before issuing new directives.
“Kung may pagbabago man, hihintayin po ng PNP na maibaba ang amended guidelines para iyon ang aming ipatupad. Sa ngayon, status quo muna at susundin muna namin kung ano ang isinasaad ng guidelines para maiwasan ang pagkakaroon ng kalituhan ang publiko sa bagay na ito (If there are any changes, the PNP will wait for the amended guidelines to be lowered so that we can implement that. For now, it’s status quo and we will first follow what the guidelines say to avoid confusing the public in this matter),” he added.
Senate President Vicente Sotto III stated in a Twitter post on Wednesday that Duterte agreed that the public should only be compelled to wear a face shield when visiting hospitals.
Sotto said that the Philippines is the only country in the world that requires the usage of a face shield in public settings, during a Senate Committee of the Whole hearing on Tuesday.
While Duterte considers the IATF’s appeal, Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque stated on Thursday that the use of face shield will continue.
