Senator Risa Hontiveros has called for a legislative investigation into a Quezon City official’s threat to “shoot to kill” lockdown violators, and of other abuses by local officials when enforcing community quarantine.

Hontiveros filed a Senate resolution seeking the inquiry in aid of legislation on Tuesday, August 4. Copies of the resolution were sent to reporters on Wednesday, August 5.

In the document, the opposition senator named Ranulfo “Rannie” Ludovica, head of Quezon City’s Task Force Disiplina, for his August 3 social media post that carried the threat, “Mula bukas, shoot to kill na ang lalabag sa MECQ (Starting tomorrow, it’s shoot-to-kill for violators of modified enhanced community quarantine).”

Hontiveros noted that Task Force Disiplina had already figured in a controversy before, when it was caught on camera beating and manhandling a fish vendor for failing to wear a face mask outdoors.

She cited other abuses by local government officials, such as when quarantine violators were put in dog cages, or forced to perform lewd acts in public.

In a separate statement, Hontiveros, a Quezon City resident, said Ludovica’s threat was “disturbing, counterproductive, and illegal.”

“Bakit pagpatay ang sagot sa isang health crisis (Why is killing the answer to a health crisis)? Our people are already suffering, and statements like that do not inspire confidence in our local leaders,” she said.

“Paalala lang po, virus ang kalaban natin, hindi taumbayan (Just a reminder, the enemy is a virus, not the people). Punitive and militarized responses to a public health pandemic will serve no purpose but to further punish the already suffering,” Hontiveros added.

The senator then urged the Quezon City government to consider replacing Ludovica with “someone who can actually help save, not harm, local residents.”

Subukan mo nang malaman mo.

Am calling the attn of @officialqcmayor Joy & @CHRgovph.

As a QC resident for the last 35 yrs, I will personally work to hold this public official accountable for inciting violence vs civilians.

Sino ngayon ang terorista? https://t.co/QpfRvrn3F7

— risa hontiveros (@risahontiveros) August 3, 2020

Ludovica drew flak on social media when he posted the “shoot-to-kill” threat on his Facebook page at around 3 pm on Monday, August 3, a day before Metro Manila and its surrounding provinces reverted to MECQ. He took down the post about 3 hours later.

However, Ludovica defended his post, claiming it was “personal,” even if he used the same Facebook page for announcements and updates on his activities as a city official.

Despite widespread calls to sack Ludovica, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said she would give the former city councilor a “chance to redeem himself” because he had apologized to her for his public threat.

On Tuesday, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said Ludovica’s threat was illegal, and ordered him to “desist from issuing similar statements in the future.”

Belmonte said the city government “would not protect” Ludovica from any complaint the DILG may file against him.

Hontiveros on Tuesday tweeted her disapproval of Ludovica’s threat, and said she would “personally work to hold this public official accountable for inciting violence against civilians.” – Rappler.com