Duterte not exempted from Davao protocols

DAVAO CITY, Philippines — President Duterte was not exempted from strict COVID-19 protocols imposed on passengers at the Davao International Airport when he arrived here before dawn yesterday.

Like everyone else, the President presented his Davao Quick Response (DQR) Code, along with his real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test result showing he is negative of the virus.

The city has reverted to general community quarantine (GCQ) status because of a continuing increase in the number of new COVID-19 cases in recent days.

Generose Tecson, chief of the city’s COVID-19 task force at the airport, said the President abided by the new protocols, including the personal DQR Code, without which the city government prohibits entry to any establishment.

Members of Duterte’s entourage also presented their respective DQR codes and negative RT-PCR test results at the airport.

Since the GCQ status was reimposed in the President’s hometown last Friday, traveling even within the city has been restricted as non-essential trips outside of residences are not allowed.

Residents have also been required to present their food and medicine passes as well as identification cards and certificates of employment for employees at designated checkpoints.

The President came home immediately after his virtual attendance at Friday night’s Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2020 Economic Leaders’ Meeting hosted by Malaysia and participated in by heads of state of 21 APEC membe-economies, including US President Donald Trump, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Russian President Vladimir Putin.

From the airport, the President transferred to a waiting helicopter that took him home.