MANILLA, Philippines — Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte says that he is glad “Filipinos are really law-abiding” and that the Philippines is not going through unrest like America, which would make the coronavirus quarantine enforcement formidable.
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Duterte made the remarks during a televised meeting Thursday night with key Cabinet officials, where he used expletives to express disgust over a range of quarantine problems.
He particularly fumed over the delay in the delivery of promised financial help to the families of 32 health workers who died after getting infected with the virus.
Duterte renewed his threat to jail any officials who steal cash aid meant for the poor amid the pandemic. Officials say the Philippines’ unemployment rate has soared to a record 17.7%.
The Philippines has reported 20,382 coronavirus infections, including nearly 1,000 deaths.