Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO) director Police Colonel Gilbert Gorero on Thursday, March 11, said they have not yet received a written order from Camp Crame prohibiting public displays of affection (PDAs).
What Brigadier General Ildebrandi Usana, Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, gave on Monday, March 9, was only a “verbal instruction,” according to Gorero.
“The intention of the PNP is to remind everyone to observe physical distancing and other minimum health standards at all times,” he said in an interview over radio station Akyon Radyo-Iloilo.
Gorero noted that there is no existing law or ordinance that bans couples from kissing, hugging, and holding hands in public.
“Our Police officers will not arrest those caught engaging in PDA. Instead, they will only call their attention to prevent the further spread of COVID-19,” he said.
In an interview on ABS-CBN’s TeleRadyo, Usana said it is better for couples to show their affection at home rather than in public.
“Couples, close friends very dear to each other, family clans and group of people showing their physical, social and romantic relationships in public, perhaps. Those are sights we can find especially when some commercial, tourism, and/or recreational establishments have reopened for them. The virus may be right before them,” he said.
“Infection happens to families, it can happen to anyone, anywhere. People should maintain being cautious from the spread of the virus. And if you love your spouse, your children, you have to be aware of the minimum health and safety protocols,’ Usana stressed.IMT
