Drugs, booze inside quarantine facility?

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Security in a quarantine facility for locally stranded individuals (LSIs) and repatriated overseas Filipino Workers (OFWs) in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental was tightened following reports that some occupants were using illegal drugs and drinking alcohol.

Police Maj. Mark Angelo Junco, officer-in-charge of the San Carlos City Police Station, said they are looking into the report even as they heightened security in the facility.

The occupants of the quarantine facility are relatives and neighbors of COVID-19 positive patients.

Apart from the alleged drugs and alcohol use, police are also investigating allegations that some of the occupants destroyed comfort rooms for women inside the facility.

Junco further said he already requested additional police officers from the Negros Occidental Police Provincial Office to secure the quarantine facility.

Junco added that he noticed that barangay tanods tasked to secure the quarantine areas did not initially scrutinize the food being delivered inside.

He theorized that illegal drugs and intoxicating liquor are being smuggled inside the facility as its perimeter is easily penetrated.

Jungco said that a team from NOCPPO headquarters led by Lt. Colonel Nasser Canja also inspected the quarantine security.

Meanwhile, San Carlos City Mayor Rene Gustilo said the city government will also set up another quarantine facility for COVID-19 patients at Julio Ledesma National High School, to decongest the other facility.