Police Shot Down Man in Philippines Who Violated COVID-19 Lockdown Rules & Got Violent

The coronavirus outbreak has driven some governments to resort to draconian measures for the greater good of the larger population.

This includes but is not limited to circuit breaker measures in Singapore with enhanced safe distancing, a Restriction of Movement Order (RMO) in Malaysia and shooting people dead in the Philippines.

Wait, what?

“Shoot Them Dead”

Lest you’re unaware, Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte made headlines on new sites all over the world when he warned that those who fail to abide by the lockdown measures could be shot for causing trouble.

More specifically, he said, “Shoot them dead.”

He had said on 1 April, “It is getting worse. So once again I’m telling you the seriousness of the problem and that you must listen.”

“My orders to the police and military… If there is trouble and there’s an occasion that they fight back and your lives are in danger, shoot them dead.”

He then reiterated it again.

“Is that understood? Dead. Instead of causing trouble, I will bury you,” he warned.

It looks like he wasn’t joking around.

Police Shot Down Man in Philippines Who Violated COVID-19 Lockdown Rules & Got Violent

A 63-year-old man was shot dead in the Philippines for failing to abide by the coronavirus lockdown rules.

According to Yahoo News, the man was not wearing a mask and had threatened to attack police with a scythe.

The incident took place at a checkpoint in Nasipit town located in the southern province of Agusan del Norte on Thursday.

The man was believed to be inebriated.

The police report said, “The suspect was cautioned by a village health worker … for not wearing a face mask. But the suspect got angry, uttering provoking words and eventually attacked the personnel using a scythe.”

Police Officer Shot Him Dead 

The police officer had shot him dead while trying to calm him down.

This is the first time police personnel has shot a civilian for flouting the stringent coronavirus lockdown rules in the Philippines.

It looks like they’re taking it seriously after President Duterte gave the green light to shoot those who do not abide by the rules.

To date, the Phillippines has over 3,200 confirmed cases of the highly contagious coronavirus.

At least 152 people have died due to the virus, so it’s no wonder the country is taking it extremely seriously.

Meanwhile, Singapore is also adopting stringent measures and passing a new Bill that’ll fine and/or jail those who fail to abide by the enhanced safe distancing measures.

You can read more about it here.