78 frontline cops undergo COVID-19 test

By Jennifer P. Rendon 

Seventy-eight police officers in Region 6 assigned to the frontlines underwent reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on May 15, 2020.

“We want to ensure that all my personnel and their family are safe from COVID-19, as we continuously discharge our mandated function of manning the Quarantine Control Points 24/7,” Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, stressed.

Of the 78 Personnel, 26 are assigned to the Headquarter Service, 22 to the Regional Health Service, and 30 to the Iloilo Police Provincial Office (IPPO).

Pamuspusan said they prioritized personnel manning the Quarantine Control Points (QCP) and conducting round-the-clock checkpoints.

It was the first batch of swab test conducted at the Police Regional Office 6 (PRO-6) headquarters in Camp Delgado.

Prior to that, Pamuspusan ordered Police Colonel Maria Chona Wamilda, RHS-6 Chief, to conduct training on the proper procedures in the execution of swab tests.

Mandatory testing was then conducted on the 78 personnel assigned at the frontline in the fight against COVID-19.

“For us to completely do our job, we also need to ensure our health and safety,” Pamuspusan said.

The RHS-6, in coordination with Iloilo City Health Unit headed by Annabelle Rosario S. Blancaflor, initiated the training on swabbing test participated in by 22 Medical Reserve Force held at the Camp Delgado multi-purpose hall.

It was gathered that in the Administrative Support to CoVid-19 Operation Task Force of PR-6, RHS-6 was designated as Sub-task Group Health Management.

They are tasked in updating the status of PRO-6 personnel who were considered as suspect, probable and positive to COVID-19, as well as monitoring the disposition after quarantine or treatment.

No policeman has tested positive for COVID-19 in Western Visayas.