A drunk and armed 63-year-old man from the Philippines was shot dead by the police after he threatened village officials and the local police with a scythe, a deadly weapon, at a coronavirus checkpoint.
The announcement was made by the police of Agusan del Norte on Thursday last week.
According to reports, the man was drunk when he threatened village officials and the police that were holding a checkpoint in the town of Nasipit in the southern province of Agusan del Norte.
A police report that was released to the press said:
“The suspect was cautioned by a village health worker … for not wearing a face mask. But the suspect got angry, uttering provoking words and eventually attacked the personnel using a scythe.”
The suspect was shot by a police officer that was trying to calm him down.
The incident is the first reported case of a police shooting a civilian that refuses to follow the guidelines that are set out by the government to curb the fast-spreading coronavirus.
Last week in a late-night televised national address, President Duterte said, “Let this be a warning to all. Follow the government at this time because it is critical that we have order.”
The president added, “And do not harm the health workers, the doctors … because that is a serious crime. My orders to the police and the military, if anyone creates trouble, and their lives are in danger: shoot them dead.”
The president continued, “Do not intimidate the government. Do not challenge the government. You will lose.”
On Thursday, the government ordered all people across the country to wear face masks when going outside during the month-long lockdown.