SWAB OR ARREST?: Capitol warns seven APORs who refused swab test

By Dolly Yasa

 

BACOLOD City – Provincial Administrator Rayfrando Diaz said Thursday that the provincial government is warning Authorized Persons Outside of Residence (APORs) to subject themselves to swab test for COVID-19 upon entering the province of Negros Occidental or face arrest if they refuse.

Diaz issued the warning after seven APORs refused to be swabbed when they entered the province this week.

Diaz said the seven who entered the province through the Bacolod-Silay Airport Tuesday reportedly had a letter from a Bacolod councilor allowing them entry into the city and province.

Diaz identified the seven APORs as Charle Magne Andres, Dexter Claveria Aquino, Marlo Federiso and Johnny Yanes of DC Aquino Land Surveying Services; and Jestoni Absin Mangulabnan, Froillan Cris Timplanza Tungol, and Jim Batiduan Valerio of Pax Cable Inc.

He declined to name the Bacolod councilor.

“We will have them located and arrested,” Diaz added.

APORs are persons who are allowed to move from one region or province to another due to their work or other emergency errands.

They remain to be a threat to public health in the province of Negros Occidental, Diaz told Daily Guardian.

“The seven APORs continue to be a public health risk while they go around the province. Executive Order No. 20-33 was issued to address the COVID-19 threats coming from APORs. They should comply as this remains valid until superseded or revoked,” he added.

It appears that APORs are being allowed to enter Bacolod to go straight to work, he lamented.

Negros Occidental has an existing health protocol that all those who enter the province must undergo COVID-19 tests, Diaz added.

He said the provincial government has put up notices in seaports and airport to inform the public of the policy.

Bacolod City and Negros Occidental saw a surge in COVID-19 cases since August 2020.

As of Sept 17, Bacolod tops Region 6 in confirmed cases with 2,695 (1,531 active cases, 1,128 recoveries, and 36 deaths).

Negros Occidental has 1,411 cases (1,022 active cases, 364 recoveries, and 25 deaths)