Presidential Spokesperson and Chief Presidential Legal Counsel Secretary Salvador S. Panelo confirmed on April 7, Tuesday, the President’s decision to extend the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) over the whole of Luzon until April 30.

In his first virtual press conference, Secretary Panelo said that President Rodrigo Roa Duterte was looking at the best option and realized that continuing the ECQ in Luzon until the end of the month, coupled with the corresponding protocols, such as staying at home and observing the stringent social distancing measures, may prevent the spread of the virus.

“Please stay at home and let us help one another and let us pray together and do everything we can to prevail over this national and global crisis. Our nation’s survival really depends on how each one of us will be helping each other to protect one another from being infected by this deadly disease,” he said.

Secretary Panelo also acknowledged the contribution of private entities and individuals who are doing their own share in the fight against COVID-19, like their efforts to augment the supply of more personal protective equipment or PPEs for our healthcare and frontline workers.

In the same briefing, the Chief Presidential Legal Counsel asked the netizens to refrain from spreading fake news, including social media materials which twist or slant the President’s words without putting in perspective the premise and the full context of the latter’s statements.

The Presidential Spokesperson said that the Chief Executive is calling for everyone to cooperate and set aside politicking at this time of crisis, specifically identifying those who are taking advantage of the situation in order to destabilize the elected government through inciting hate and aggression among the people.

“We help one another, kailangan po talaga nating magtulungan,” Panelo stressed. ### OPS-PCOO