President Rodrigo Duterte is dangling a P30,000 reward to those who will report local officials pocketing money meant to assist poor families affected by quarantine restrictions.

Palace spokesman Harry Roque announced the reward after the president’s broadcast past midnight on Tuesday.

Those who want to claim reward money must report the details to hotline 8888, he said.

Duterte particularly mentioned Barangay Kagawad Danilo Flores of Hagonoy, Bulacan.

“Kung may gawin kayo wag sa panahong ito,” he said in his televised address.

Duterte also told local officials to help in contact tracing to find Covid-19 cases, saying the police and the military could not be expected to help because they were vulnerable to attacks by the communist New People’s Army (NPA).

“Times are really not normal. Patayin kayo (police) ng NPA. Mainit masyado ang M16 (rifle). They are itching to get it from you. Mga sundalo at pulis, wag kayong mag-kumyansa. They will kill you. And I am telling you, kill them also,” he said.

He also told local officials to accept returning overseas workers who had been cleared of Covid-19, or else he would force the issue.

Duterte mentioned Iloilo. “Sir nakikiusap ako sa inyo, sundin ninyo ang guidelines. It’s either sumunod kayo or I will impose it on you… Pipilitin ko kayo na sumunod kayo.”

National Task Force chief Carlito Galvez Jr. said 20,000 OFWs would be tested and prioritized for transportation back to their hometowns. (PressONE.ph)