Although quarantine measures continue to ease in most areas of the country, President Rodrigo Duterte cautions against fully reopening the economy.

In a taped address aired at 1 a.m. this morning, Duterte said that the country cannot afford to implement another lockdown or fully reopen the country for fear of another spike in COVID-19 cases—which was the case with other countries who have recently reopened their economy after reporting declining numbers of cases.

“If ever there is going to be a spike again, baka marami ang infected or re-infected, at least ‘yung calibrated numbers of people we allowed to go out would be still within manageable numbers,” Duterte explained in his address.

As of writing, the country has a total of 47,873 cases after 1,540 new cases were recorded yesterday, with 1,309 deaths and 12,386 recoveries.

[READ: Congrats PH, second for COVID-19 count, first for active cases in Southeast Asia]

In regards to the Anti-Terror Law, Duterte explained that the government needed legal weapons to combat the threat of terrorism in the country. Citing the bombings in Mindanao, the president explained that the passing of the controversial law will help protect the security of the country.

“They are terrorists because I finally declared them to be one,” the President said. “Why? Because I spent most of my days as a President trying to figure out and connect with them on how we can arrive at a peaceful solution.”

Duterte also said law-abiding citizens should not fear the Anti-Terrorism Law. “Huwag ho kayong matakot kung hindi ka terorista,” he added. “Kung hindi ka naman sisirain mo ang gobyerno, pasabugin mo ang simbahan, pasabugin mo iyong public utilities, pasabugin mo iyong… Well, just to derail para matumba na tuloy ang bayan.”

[READ: Terrorism undefined: The Anti-Terrorism Bill is an indication of an authoritarian regime]

The President, however, added that he will not hesitate to kill anyone who violates the recently-passed law. “Ngayon sabi ko nga, sabi nila: ‘Duterte patay dito, patay doon.’ Totoo. ‘Pag pinatay mo ang mga tao, papatayin talaga kita.”

The Anti-Terror Law seeks stricter measures to the Human Security Act of 2007. Those who will propose, incite, conspire and participate in planning, training, preparing and facilitating a terrorist act will be subject to punishment by law.

Header photo screengrabbed from the Presidential Communications Operations Office

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