COVID-19 snags filing of drug cases

By Felipe V. Celino 

 

ROXAS CITY, Capiz — The disinfection of the City Prosecutors Office here delayed the filing of illegal drug charges.

Lt. Col Ricardo Jomuad Jr., Roxas City police chief, said they were not able to file charges against four suspects who were caught in buy-bust operations at barangays Tanza and Banica here because of the disinfection conducted by the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO).

Earlier, an employee of the said office tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

At least four persons arrested in a series of drug buy bust operations last week were supposed to be charged Monday before the City Prosecutors Office.

Jomuad said they have prepared the complaint affidavits and other supporting documents against the arrested suspects.

Meanwhile, an officer of Panay Municipal Police Station in Panay, Capiz also tested positive COVID-19.

Now confined at the Roxas Memorial Provincial Hospital, the 50-year-old policeman was a close contact of a fellow officer who earlier contracted the virus.

According to Police Lieutenant Francisco Umiten Jr., Panay police officer-in-charge, the latest patient was immediately placed under quarantine together with the 12 policemen who were also close contacts of the index case.

Umiten said that after three days, the second positive officer underwent antigen test and later PT-PCR test which yielded positive results.