News Roundup 19 April 2020
Apr 19, 2020 • 2 min Read
Robredo highlights importance of mass testing; cites case of South Korea | INQUIRER.NET – Vice President Leni Robredo has stressed the importance of the coronavirus mass testing in the Philippines, citing the case of South Korea. Robredo explained during her radio program on Sunday that South Korea — which has 10,635 COVID-19 patients and 234 casualties — is now able to reopen some stores and other establishments after mass testing for the coronavirus gave it the basis on which stores could reopen.
‘War’ narrative in COVID-19 crisis fails to empower Filipinos, groups say | PHILSTAR.COM – Human rights and healthcare organizations on Friday said the Duterte administration’s narrative of a nationwide war against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), perpetuates a misplaced militarism in a time when medical solutions are needed. In an online press conference held by the Philippine Alliance of Human Rights Advocates and In Defense of Human Rights and Dignity Movement, healthcare practitioner Nemuel Fajutagana of the Medical Action Group (MAG) said this approach reinforces a learned helplessness that leaves Filipinos more vulnerable to abuse.
Vico Sotto: Testing needed to end quarantine faster | Manila Bulletin – Testing is the key for the imposed enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) to end much sooner, Pasig City Mayor Vico Sotto said. Pasig City was among the first local government units to conduct testing of persons suspected to have been infected with coronavirus, as it races to contain the outbreak. Sotto earlier stressed that a “broad-based testing” is the key to slowing down the spread of COVID-19, which has already infected more than 200 people in Pasig, according to the local government. The city government has recently partnered with The Medical City (TMC) to increase its COVID-19 testing capacity to about 270 tests per week.
Public warned vs cybercriminals | The Manila Times – The government has warned the public against cybercriminals exploiting the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ). Cabinet Secretary Karlo Alexei Nograles cited the “100-percent” reported rise in incidents of phishing and donation schemes since the implementation of the Luzon-wide quarantine. “The ECQ has compelled those of us fortunate to have internet connections to go online to perform tasks that would ordinarily require us to leave our homes… While this has helped many of us cope with the limitations brought about by the ECQ, the National Bureau of Investigation Cybercrime Division and Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas report a 100-percent increase in phishing cases… and warn everyone to be cautious when it comes to your bank details,” Nograles said. He also alerted the public against cybercriminals posing as representatives of a legitimate banking institution to lure them to give their bank account details.
