EOC warns against ‘fake seal off’

By Dolly Yasa

BACOLOD City – Bacolod City Administrator Em Ang, executive director of the Emergency Operations Center, warned against unscrupulous person initiating “fake seal-off” of alleged COVID positive individuals

Ang said Councilor Gles Pallen informed that a household in City Heights Subdivision was sealed off after one of their relatives was infected with COVID-19.

The family was distressed and immediately called up the barangay. The incident happened during the weekend.

Ang said the unsigned letter ordering the lockdown was fake.

“It even mentions ‘federal’ policy so it obviously was just copied from some online article,” she added.

“This is to warn the public against these unscrupulous person/s who, in the midst of a pandemic, have the guts to carry out such despicable acts of deceit causing undue stress and anxiety to unsuspecting victims. They are taking ‘prank’ to a new level of viciousness.”

She added that “At a time when we are facing a serious public health crisis, it is unacceptable that some people use this for their own entertainment or worse, some sick perversion. Everyone must cooperate in our fight to stop COVID-19 from further affecting our city, and refrain from causing more panic and confusion.”

“Kung may pareho sini nga maka lab-ot sa inyo, palihog mag contact sa aton Emergency kag mag report sa Police Station ukon ang inyo barangay.”

Pallen said she is investigating the illegal seal-off.

Pallen said they will review the footage of the barangay’s security camera to determine the person or persons responsible for sealing-off the area using a caution tape Saturday morning when the owners were not on the list of COVID-19 positive patients nor were they even considered close contacts.