COVID-positive cop probed for breaching quarantine protocols

By Jennifer P. Rendon

 

A COVID-19-positive officer of the Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 is now in hot water for allegedly violating quarantine protocols.

The 36-year old male personnel holds a rank of police corporal and is detailed to the Regional Personnel and Records Management Division (RPRMD).

A resident of Anilao, Iloilo, he was one of those who were found positive in a real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test on 70 personnel on Aug 15, 2020. His RT-PCR test result was released on Aug 20.

Police Lieutenant Colonel Joem Malong, PRO-spokesperson, said that as part of the protocol, all PNP personnel who were subjected for swab test must strictly observe quarantine until their results are out.

“But in his case, he violated such protocol by running some errands and was reported to have gone into a drinking spree in another town,” Malong said.

Based on the Special Report submitted by the Anilao Municipal Police Station, the patient’s family confirmed that the policeman went to Maasin town on Aug 18.

He allegedly ran some errands for the wake of his mother who died July 28, 2020. His mother’s remains were brought to their house on Aug 3.

He returned home from Antique around 10 pm of Aug 18.

He brought with him live chickens to be cooked for his mother’s wake. A friend from Barangay Daja, Maasin gave the chickens.

Two days after his Maasin trip, Dr. Karen Anne Gonzales, the Anilao Rural Health Unit officer, informed the patient through phone call that he was positive for COVID-19.

Punong Barangay Noel Camacho immediately ordered the lockdown of the policeman’s house to prevent the spread of the virus while contact tracing is going on.

The patient was later transferred to the quarantine facility and is still under quarantine.

Meanwhile, Maasin Mayor Francis Amboy called Police Colonel Paul Kenneth Lucas, Iloilo police chief, and informed the latter that the personnel went binge drinking in the time that he was supposed to be on home quarantine while waiting for the result of the swab test.

Iloilo PPO is now consolidating reports to be submitted to the Regional Investigation and Detective Management Division for conduct of proper investigation.

Police Lieutenant General Camilo Pancratius Cascolan, PNP deputy chief for administration, earlier issued a memorandum with subject “Guidelines of PNP Personnel after Undergoing RT-PCR Testing” stating that “personnel who undergoes testing, even if asymptomatic, shall observe quarantine until the release of the RT-PCR test.”

With the glaring violation, Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, ordered an investigation to ascertain the appropriate administrative charges that would be filed against said personnel for violation of health protocols.

“How could we command obedience from the public if our own personnel violate health protocols?” Pamuspusan said.

Meanwhile, the PRO-6 hierarchy said it recognizes the vulnerability of its personnel in getting infected with the COVID-19 virus being one of the frontliners that is why they remind their personnel to always adhere to the protocols to keep themselves and all people surrounding them safe.

As of Aug 24, PRO-6 recorded 27 COVID-19 positive among its personnel.

The number includes 15 active cases, 11 recoveries, and 1 death.

Malong said they are still waiting for the result of the two batches of RT-PCR tests conducted last week.