By Jennifer P. Rendon
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has 112 personnel who tested positive for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).
The virus also claimed the lives of three police personnel while 17 others already recovered.
But there’s a piece of good news for the people of Western Visayas.
The Police Regional Office (PRO)-6 announced that none of those COVID confirmed cases are from the region.
In a statement Tuesday, Police Brigadier General Rene Pamuspusan, Western Visayas police chief, announced that “PRO-6 personnel remains COVID-19 free as those who were categorized under PUM have completed quarantine protocols and were declared COVID-19 negative.”
As of May 6, PRO-6 records showed that all 146 police officers who were categorized as suspected and one probable COVID-19 cases have already finished with their mandatory 14-day quarantine period.
Currently, there are only 11 policemen who are lumped under the “possible” case category.
“We remain vigilant, however, by ensuring that all our personnel are observing the safety guidelines from the Department of Health (DOH) in order to prevent infection,” Pamuspusan said.
He added that given the police-frontliners’ unavoidable exposure in checkpoints and other law enforcement duties, they have done necessary preparations by providing isolation facilities in provincial and city police offices, and the PRO-6 regional headquarters.
He also assured that as the head of the region’s police force, he will ensure that the morale and welfare of PRO-6 personnel would be their primary concern.
