CIBAC Party-List Representatives Deputy-Speaker Bro. Eddie Villanueva and Domingo Rivera strongly condemn the reported incident of throwing stones toward the house of confirmed COVID-19 infected persons in the province of Iloilo.
“It is with grave dismay that we denounce, in strongest terms, such barbaric act of hurling stones to the home and relatives of people infirmed with COVID-19 disease, or any disease for that matter. The perpetrators should be arrested and be dealt with accordingly so as to send a message to the people that we will not tolerate such act,” exclaims Deputy Speaker Villanueva.
“We call on everyone not to imitate nor resort to this kind of savage and ‘unFilipino’ treatment of people positive of COVID-19 for it will stir further chaos and instability especially in these distressing times. The loved ones of people who contracted COVID-19 disease should be treated with utmost compassion , sensitivity and understanding because even they themselves did not wish to be in their situation,” adds the CIBAC lawmaker.
This is in response to an incident last week in Lambunao, Iloilo where unknown individuals tracked down the residence of a family with members positive of COVID-19 virus and throwed stones at their house. The 70-year-old mother, 48-year-old daughter, 41-year-old son, and 39-year-old daughter of the said family were all reportedly confirmed to have contracted the disease.
“When we resume works in Congress, CIBAC Party-List will push for a bill that will impose stiffer penalties to acts that promote stigma, hate and inflict cruelty to people with dreaded disease. People suffering from any kind of disease deserve to be loved and be understood, not to be villified and harmed. We will ensure that our laws will deter such degree of discrimination from happening again,” adds the CIBAC solon.
On his part, CIBAC Representative Domeng Rivera reiterates the calls of the government to be responsible and practice social distancing and other protocols amidst this time of health crisis. This is in order to prevent oneself from being a victim or from being a carrier of the virus.