The ‘shoot-to-kill’ threat of Quezon City Task Force Disiplina chief Rannie Ludovica against quarantine violators is illegal, the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG) said on Tuesday, August 4.

“The Department of the Interior and Local Government considers the alleged ‘shoot to kill’ threat by the head of the QC Task Force Disiplina against quarantine violators in Quezon City as improper and illegal,” the DILG said in a statement.

It added: “We advise him to desist from issuing similar statements in the future.”

The DILG said discipline is one of its recognized measures to restrict the spread of the virus, but stressed that calling for it should be within the bounds of the law.

It is unclear what violation of the law the DILG believes Ludovica committed.

In a text message to Rappler, Quezon City Mayor Joy Belmonte said she would welcome any complaint the DILG may file against Ludovica.

“We will not protect him,” she said.

But Ludovica will not be dismissed or suspended. Belmonte said that she gave him a second chance after he apologized to her. – Rappler.com