MANILA, Philippines — Those who attempt to enter and exit Metro Manila during the period of the “community quarantine” cannot be detained by law authorities, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said Saturday. However, if a person assaults, slanders or bribes a law enforcement agent while trying to do so, that’s the time authorities can arrest him, Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra added. ADVERTISEMENT“No, just being physically prevented from entering or exiting,” Guevarra told reporters in a text message when asked if a person attempting to enter or exit Metro Manila will be arrested. “But if the person assaults the law enforcement agent, or slanders him, or bribes him, then that’s cause for a warrantless arrest,” he added. “Law enforcement agents can physically prevent actual movements (entry into or exit from Metro Manila) unless covered by the exceptions or on highly justifiable grounds,” the Justice Secretary explained.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer March 14, 2020 08:15 UTC