Lawyers providing legal representation for persons arrested during the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) will be allowed to pass through quarantine checkpoints.
Amendments to the omnibus guidelines of the Inter-Agency Task Force (IATF)for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases approved on June 15 permit the transit of lawyers, provided they show their Integrated Bar of the Philippines identification cards at checkpoints.
Lawyers “who will provide legal representation necessary to protect rights of persons under custodial investigation, to bail and to counsel during inquest proceedings” will be allowed to meet with their clients, IATF Resolution No. 46 read.
The guidelines apply even in areas placed anew in ECQ and modified ECQ, such as Cebu City and Talisay City.
“Mga abogado po diyan sa Talisay at saka sa Cebu, bagama’t stay at home po ang lahat, pupuwede po kayong puntahan ang inyong mga kliyente na may problema po sa mga alagad ng batas,” Palace spokesman Harry Roque said in his media briefing Tuesday.
President Rodrigo Duterte yesterday placed Cebu City under ECQ and Talisay City under modified ECQ until June 30 due to the rise in the doubling rate of Covid-19 cases in the areas.
Metro Manila’s general community quarantine was extended to June 30.
The IATF has also approved the transport department’s recommendation to form a complaints office under the Philippine Ports Authority to address complaints against international shipping lines. John Ezekiel J. Hirro