DAVAO CITY (MindaNews / 18 Mar) – Davao City Mayor Sara Duterte asked the members of the New People’s Army (NPA) to avoid moving around in different communities to protect themselves from potentially acquiring the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and prevent transmitting the infection to other people.
In an interview during the Davao City Disaster Radio (DCDR) 87.5 on Wednesday, the presidential daughter told the NPA to avoid going from one hinterland barangay to another, particularly along the borders of the city, and other provinces in and outside Davao Region.[]
“Kinahanglan ta manawagan sa NPA, dili molihok kung asa man sila kung naa man sila sa Bukidnon, Pantukan, dili sila mo latas-latas sa laing lugar para dili pud sila magkasakit, ug dili pud sila makatakod (We need to make an announcement to NPA. Don’t move around and stay wherever you are, whether you are in Bukidnon, Pantukan, avoid going to other places so that you will not get infected, and you don’t infect other people),” she said.
The mayor also urged the residents of the region to avoid unnecessary trips, and just stay inside their homes.
Mayor Duterte was chosen to lead the Davao Region COVID-19 Task Force, created on Tuesday by the Regional Peace and Order Council (RPOC) and Regional Development Council (RDC), which enforces a 14-day suspension of land, sea, and air travels to help contain COVID-19.
The Davao Region will close its borders starting 12:01 a.m. on Thursday.
The task force, comprising various local chief executives and heads of other government agencies, has been formed to synergize the efforts of the region’s five provinces, six cities, and 43 municipalities to contain the COVID-19 infection, the statement read.[]
