Quarantine in the Philippines. Duterte shock: my order is to shoot anyone who violates the blockade

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The coronavirus reaps contagions and economic crisis also in the Philippines from where the shock words of President Rodrigo Duterte come. During a speech to the nation last night, the president literally ordered the police to shoot citizens who violate the rules of the quarantine, imposed to contain the spread of the epidemic.

The violent threat arrived by the president follows the arrest of 21 people, who took to the streets of Quezon City, on the island of Luzon, to ask the government for help against the background of the crisis caused by the epidemic. Police said the protest was unauthorized, but according to the Rapper website, it is unclear if all the participants were demonstrating or if someone was simply looking for food. There are growing concerns in the country about how the poorest sections of the population will survive the month of lockdown imposed on the highly populated island of Luzon, where the capital Manila is also located. Most of the 48 million people who populate it depend on daily jobs, abruptly interrupted following the closure decided by the authorities.

Duterte called on citizens to wait for government assistance, ensuring that "even if late, he will come and nobody will starve." The president warned that compliance with the quarantine measures will be strictly controlled: "My orders to the police and the military is to shoot. Rather than create problems, I will send you to the grave", warned Duterte in his speech on TV.