The order of Sec. Eduardo Año of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) to the Philippine National Police (PNP) to do “house-to-house” to search and “apprehend” and bring Covid-19 positive individuals to quarantine facilities is another militarist measure.

Año’s new order will further trample on civil rights. This goes against even the reactionary laws which require police to have a warrant to enter and search private homes. It also violates privacy rights which are upheld even during medical situations. Earlier, Año order local government officials to arrest “quarantine violators” to teach them a lesson. Almost 900 were arrested and fined on July 9 in Quezon City. On Huly 16, at least 300 were apprehended in Navotas.