Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin, Jr. and Vice President Leni Robredo
MANILA – Foreign Affairs Secretary Teodoro Locsin Jr. on Thursday took a swipe at Vice President Leni Robredo after the latter questioned the presence of military tanks on the streets of Cebu City as the government strengthens its response against the coronavirus pandemic there.
In a tweet, Locsin noted that even Wellington tapped the military to assist in New Zealand's quarantine measures.
"Please stop complaining. Please. New Zealand has turned to the military as well. It is about getting things done at all and fast without civilian bungling especially those who wear white gowns. Please, please. Tama na ang reklamo (Stop complaining)," he wrote.
Robredo raised concerns that the deployment of military vehicles in Cebu City would sow fear among the public and believed that while the military has been "very helpful" even to her office, the government should take a "more public health approach".
Cebu City reverted back to enhanced community quarantine on June 16 due to the increasing number of new cases and widespread community transmission.
The government also recorded consistent case doubling time of less than seven days and a significant increase in the critical care utilization rate in the area.
The situation prompted President Rodrigo Duterte to place Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu at the helm to oversee the southern city's response measures against Covid-19.
Cimatu was also given the liberty to seek aid from the military. (PNA)
