The lockdown seems to be getting on the nerves of authorities and Metro Manila residents. Here are the stories making the headlines on ANC today:

Iron hand
A writer once said that nothing breeds lawlessness than the lawless application of the law. A spate of violent incidents is calling into the question the proper enforcement of the quarantine in Metro Manila. On Tuesday, a fish vendor was beaten and dragged away in Barangay South Triangle, Quezon City by city officials imposing the lockdown. This followed another incident inside the posh Dasmariñas Village in Makati City on Monday. Charges have been filed against an expatriate involved in that incident. The killing of a former soldier at a quarantine checkpoint in Quezon City last week is still fresh in our minds. In a televised speech on Monday, President Rodrigo Duterte announced revisions on the coverage of the quarantine. Meanwhile, the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Philippines is closing in on 8,000-mark.

Just testing
Defense Secretary Delfin Lorenzana said China was just testing the reaction of a Philippine Navy vessel when a Chinese vessel pointed a radar gun at our ship. However, Lorenzana admitted the incident was “a bit offensive.” The Palace disagreed with the notion that China was being aggressive in the South China Sea while nations like the Philippines are distracted by COVID-19.

Controversial request
Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Chief of Staff Gen. Felimon Santos Jr. admitted he asked help from the Chinese ambassador in Manila to obtain an experimental drug for COVID-19. In his letter obtained by ABS-CBN News that was written with his letterhead, Santos said he wanted the drug for his friends. The revelation elicited negative reactions as the Philippines is in a maritime dispute with China. Lorenzana said there was nothing improper with Santos’ request, which has been withdrawn.

Trump vs. China
Speaking of China, US President Donald Trump said they may seek damages from China over the spread of the coronavirus. The World Health Organization (WHO) said they sounded the alarm early enough but countries didn’t listen. Trump had withdrawn funding to WHO recently. Meanwhile, Tokyo 2020 president Yoshiro Mori said the Olympics could be canceled if the pandemic would not end.

Street fight
Within the gated Makati community of Dasmariñas Village, a scuffle broke out between police authorities and a private citizen. ANCX pools together the accounts of each person involved as well as the opinion of the local government on the highly-contested matter.